I was looking at some old acquisitions to expand their categorization to Die States. This appears to be a S-263 which I labeled it. The mystery occurs with the reverse. Below is the latest Die State of S-263 (VII) Both share a reverse, but S-263 was struck 1st. The Reverse did not move to a new plane until the S-264s were struck. Below is a Terminal Die State S-264 III with the new surface plane above the crack. Everybody see the mystery?
ps This is a little complex with the new plane. The portion of the new surface plane above D sank on the die leaving the surface of the coin elevated while the portion of the die above O elevated leaving a lowered surface and protected area above the O. But that's not the mystery.
I think this is where the confusion is coming from. The section of the reverse die containing STAT did sink to a new level creating a retained cud on the late stage S-263. Here is a high grade Stage VII S-263 and you can clearly see that there is a shift in the field level on either side of the crack by the D. Combine that field height difference with the low grade of you coin and the result is the obliterated STAT.
Thank You. Mystery solved. The plane changed S-263 State VII, but not obvious without proper lighting on High grade specimens or wear highlighting the plane change on low grade specimens. Since the only S-264s I could locate of Breen States I or II and Noyes Reverse State F in higher grade and not lit to show the plane change, I incorrectly assumed it occurred after the change of reverses. But I do believe it is safe to assume this is a S-263 Die State VII.
Your 1803 cent is definitely a late-state S-263, as you first surmised. The shape of the visible 3 rules out S-264. All late-state S'263's have the cud under the date -- which your coin is too worn to show. The strikes of S-263 and S-264 show an interrupted and resumed marriage -- 263-264-263-264, as some of *BOTH* varieties both lack and show the final reverse crack down from the T of STATES. See the pix below for this point.
Neat. Reverse Q A S-263 no crack B S-263 crack S leaf to rim at O C S-263 crack extends left to rim right of D C S-264 D S-264 crack base of 2nd T to base of S leaf D S-263 E S-263 crack top of 2nd T to rim. STA sinks E S-264 F S-264 cracks stronger. STA sinking more severe Though die sinking may precede State E (State C?) and is only noticeable on worn specimens. Your last photo seems to indicate this with die sinking preceding the crack of D. Once again, thanks for your time and patience.
(EDIT: Apologies and a little off-topic but ...) Sigh! I miss Calvin and Hobbes. (I think that's Susy isn't it?)
