I have a 2 cent shield cent how can I tell if this coin is a small motto or large one , pictures are best I could take any help would be great thanks Carl
Have to agree Carl, we need a clearer, in focus picture of the Motto. Here is a combined pic that might help you. You can easily see the difference Also, page 122 of the 2010 Red Book has pics. Hopefully the pic will enlarge for you
Some descriptive differences. On the small motto the N in IN is wider than it is tall, on the large motto it is much taller than it is wide. On the small motto the centers of the OD of GOD are "round", on the large motto they are tall and thin. On the small motto the left foot of the first T in TRUST almost touches the fold in the ribbon. On the large mottoit is well away. On the small motto the distance across the top bar of the T is almost the same as the height of the T. On the large motto the letter is significantly taller than the bar is wide. On the small motto the outer most leaf at the top is small well away from the ribbon and comes to a SHARP point. On the large motto that leaf is much larger, close to the ribbon and has a much more rounded point. On the small motto on the right leaf cluster the second from the outermost leaf has a very prominent curved stem. On the large motto that stem is weaker smaller and straight. On the small motto the top left berry has a short straight weak stem. On the large motto that stem is very strong and curved. The berry is almost just a wide spot at the end of it. Any of these are diagnostic, but the fifth and sixth ones are useful because they will be visible even if the coin is worn enough that the motto is no longer visible.
