Most folks subscribe to the 1857 and earlier description, that being the last date that large cents and half cents were minted.
I'm sticking with N-14. I looked at it again and the spike is there. My image doesn't show it but I can see it with a 9x loupe.
Your 1838 is N-09, very similar to N-14. Biggest diffs are the shape of the lowest curl and the left base of the coronet. Images below are first N-14, then N-09.
Thanks, John. The Matron Head large cents are giving me fits trying to ID. I need more practice. Oooooo, a good reason for me to buy more.