Found this in mixed in with my bin of older world coppers. I'm pretty sure it's a US large cent, but I'm having trouble reading the date. I think it says 17xx, maybe 1798. If so, would be a draped bust type, right? Weighs 10.60 g, ~29 mm diameter or a hair under. First set of pictures is obliquely lit, second is natural light. Can anyone possibly help me confirm the date or type? Thanks!
Definitely a draped bust. It looks like a 1798. If it is a 1799 that would be quite a find as they are quite rare. So, it's most likely a 1798.
I tried to tilt it in hand to look at the last digit, and I'm pretty sure it's round on the bottom and not a 9, so 1798 sounds most likely. Still pretty happy with it. No idea how it wound up in my mixed world coppers bin.
Draped bust, type 2 hair, first part of the date is 17 which makes it a 98 or 99. Highest wave of hair it too far left under the R to be a 99, so it's a 98. I find it odd that jack says the reverse is totally wrong for a 99 considering the reverses of the late 98's and all the 99's and 1800's all came from the same hub.
I guess I said it because a couple of the major visible features aren't even close; genuine 1799 S-189 on the right:
Reverse E is also a good candidate: It actually looks a bit closer to me because of the location of the right 0 and fraction bar. However, I can't be certain. It's easier to eliminate the three 99s (one of which was also used on a 98) than to figure out which 98 it is. But E or N are the most likely reverses. But each is matched with more than one obverse. I just can't see enough detail on the out of focus images to decide which it is. I can't even see a curl to confirm it as type 2. My guess is S-168 because of the LIBERTY crowding the rim, but there are alternative explanations for that.
Look at the curl just below the hair bow. On the type one it is "perky" and sticks out to the left. On the type 2 it is larger and droops down. Even if you only have an outline of the bust the shape of the curl is distinctive.
Good call. Even more pronounced is the placement of LIBERTY in relation to the head of the bust. Specifically take note of the Y. On Type 1 it is virtually eye level. On Type 2 the Y is up middle forehead.
That isn't a good way of telling the type 1 and 2 busts apart. LIBERTY is punched in by hand and the position of the letters with respect to the bust can vary considerably. The bust punches though are different so you need to look for those difference on the bust. The most commonly used one is the extras curl down in the lower curls, or the change in the curl in the center of the bust. But on low grade coins those curls may not be visible. But the one behind the neck below the hair bow is almost always visible and the difference in shape makes it a good thing to know. It is a difference i've never really seen discussed anywhere.
I had not noticed that before. I continue to be the student. On particularly worn specimens (which I have in abundance), that curl takes on a smaller NW to SE oval on the Type 1 and a larger NNE to SSW oval on the Type 2. It's been right there all along and I hadn't noticed. But it is noticeable after you know what you're looking for.
