Brand new large cent rapid attribution guide!!!

Received my copy today. Closely read the first few sections and then paged through the attribution sections to get a feel for it. I am impressed. This publication makes a valuable addition to my reference library, particularly in the large cent arena.

Great job! It's sitting on the same shelf with Breen, Sheldon, Eckberg, Overton, Cohen, and Sydney Martin.

 

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Thank you so much for your comments. They mean a lot to me

 

Just to familiarize myself with the book's methodology, I attributed my sole 1794 large cent using the procedure recommended by Thomas. It took me a total of five minutes to attribute this 1794, Head of 1794 S-65 and I did not cheat. I am by no means skilled or knowledgable so I was quite pleased.

BTW, anyone think the "thing" above ERT could be a cud? No cuds are listed for this variety and I think it's just PMD, to go along with the rest of the coin.

 

Just out of curiosity, and for the sake of comparison, how long did it take to attribute that S-65 before my guide? Do you think it was helpful?

The reverse is a rather early die state, with just the beginnings of a crack visible on the second S in STATES. There is no significant obverse die damage visible at this point. This is something that could be verified in the die state section of the book.

 

I would say 25 or 30 minutes using the Bowers/Whitman Guide Book of Half Cents and Large Cents largely because I had to look through every 1794 description and plate to find a match. Your book follows a methodology that narrows things down fast.

 

Yes, I checked the die state section of your book before I posted. I had concluded my coin was an early die state, even though a very scudzy example.

Anyone who's ever tried to wade through Sheldon's Penny Whimsy will appreciate your book.

 

Hello Robert,
I have both of your books Vol 1&2 and I have a question regarding an 1802 DBHC that I have attributed as a 227 which I am fairly sure of, my question is it has an obverse die crack from the B down behind the head, which I have not found in anyone's book. If anyone could shed light on it, I would appreciate it.
Jim

 

I’m not Robert Powell, rather I am Thomas Walker. I published two different guides, and they go pretty deep into die states, much more so than Powell does. Here is an image from my book for S-227 die states. You can see that the anomaly behind the head is color-coded as a die clash.

 

If you’re talking about this, then that’s a scratch, not a die crack.

 

Never mind!

 

Sorry, Thomas, regarding the name error. I just got your books and love the way you dive into the attributions. I have so many books on large and half cents and feel yours will be definitive as to attributions and most certainly the fantastic photography your books offer. I thank you for your time to produce these for our benefit. I felt the mark on the coin's obverse was not a scratch as to the jagged movement it makes down the coin. It seems most scratches that I have seen on copper tends to be straighter or more curved, but not so jagged, yet most die cracks are. My error, I certainly cannot argue with someone as yourself in this regard. It will be a scratch, then. Again, I apologize for the ignorant error I made with your name. Be sure I was not thinking you were Robert Powell, just a mistake in writing. Thank you,
Jim

 

Also, here is a better photo of the scratch and perhaps it will show why I thought it to be die crack.
Jim

 

I must say, I am not infallible. I’m making a guess based on a dark image of a coin with environmental damage. It could be a new die state, but it seems unlikely. Your second picture gives me pause. It would be really cool if I am wrong!

 

Also, I am really glad to hear you like the books! Please let me know if you find any mistakes or think of ways it could be improved.

 

Thanks Thomas. Just another what if, I guess. Love your book. I have about 20 or so large cents and about 30 half cents. I will use your book on all the large cents, which I have already researched the hard way, books, books and internet, lol, but this will teach me your book going thru them again. I have "A Quickfinder for Attributing Varieties of Business Strike United States Half Cents 1793-1857" and it is a true help. Again, people don't realize the work authors spend creating these texts, but I do and appreciate it. Only wish they had been available 60 years ago. lol
Jim