1840-1857 Large Cents - Petite vs. Mature Head?

I am continually amazed (but I shouldn't be) at things I don't know about my collection.

One main feature that helps identify the Newcomb Number of some of the 1840-1857 Large Cents is what is called Petite vs. Mature Head.
While searching the the net I came up with this:


Is it really this easy?

Petite - Coronet points to S-5
Mature - Coronet points between S-5 and S-6

Petite - Neck point is over the 8
Mature - Neck point is over the 1

 

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Huh. Didn't know this.

 

I just go with smaller and more slanted

 

That too.

 

I agree that the petite head is noticeably smaller, and it slants forward. Not an attractive design, which, I’m sure, is why Gobrecht changed it.

 

The Petite Head, aka the Hunch Back of Philadelphia.

 

Yes it is really that easy. The head is actually the same on both, it is just rotated counterclockwise on the Petite heads so the coronet point is closer to star 5 and the point of the bust is over the 8 instead of the 1. It is only really important in 1843 as that is the only year that has both types.

 

Another type coin for the search!

 

The Petit Head is actually the 1842 obverse.

In 1843 there is the obverse and reverse of 1842. The obverse of 1842 and the reverse of 1844(large letters). Finally, the obverse and reverse of 1844.

The first pairing consists of N-2, N-3, N-8 to N-12 and N-14.
The second pairing only consists of N-4.
The third pairing consists of N-5, N-6, N-16 and N-17.

 

The heads are quite similar, but they are NOT the same.

 

OK. Heads are the same, heads are not the same. I've been looking and the different orientation makes it hard for me to tell.

Steve

 

I think the orientation is very similar. As stated, the"petite" head is angled counterclockwise slightly when compared.

 

Very Similar but different

 

Thanks, @justafarmer. Your overlays are always welcome, especially so for me because it would take months, if not years, for me to learn how to do it for myself.

Steve

 

Thanks

Overlaying the images Kanga posted - based on the date position - The Petite Head appears to be the same obverse and the Mature Head appears to be a different obverse than I mapped.

 

Thanks, again. You must be burning the midnight oil just as our Lord Marcovan does.

Steve

 

Much appreciated - I have a collection of large cents that I'm working on and this will help.

 

Got started IDing my Braided Hair Large Cents.
The 1839 was easy; PCGS put the type on their label which easily translated into a Newcomb number.

1840 surprised me; I had one ID'ed wrong
So now I have two ID'ed as N-10 (I now have a coin to sell).
Plus that now means I'm missing a Red Book variety

1841 was giving me fits until I noticed the die cracks.
That resulted in only one possibility.

In all that was the result of 1-1½ hours work.

On to 1842 (and I think they get harder from now on).

 

Sounds like fun to me.