i would like to know whats the difference on the reverse between the n-10 and n-14? Does it have anything to do with the leaf under "tat" in states, or is is something else? Thanks ahead of time.
I'm a little confused because you have pictures of N-12 while discussing the difference between N-10 and N-14.
Ok. Thank you very much. I thought it had a n-10 obverse and didnt know about the reverse. Im new at large cents and still learning. Quick question is it the different size in the stars that make this a n-12?
The usual differences on the obverses are positioning of stars relative to the denticles/dentils or to the date or portrait. The reverse is usually identified by the positioning of the leaves with the individual letters of the legend. In your coin's situation, the reverse had leaves coming to a point well to the right of the right side of the final S in STATES. This eliminated all but N-4 and N-12. The obverse differences are numerous, but I used star points relative to denticles to establish the N-12 obverse.
N-13 also has the leaf far past right of the S, but it is quickly eliminated because it also has the leaf past right of the D as well. The revere of N-4 has the point of the leaf under the right foot of the left base of A2. The reverse of N-12 (your coin) has the point of the leaf barely reaching the LEFT foot of the left base of A2. The rare coin for 1820 is N-14. Easily identified by the club top 2 in the date (as on your coin) and the point of the leaf below the CENTER of the D.
You got answers from the best large cent experts CT has. I get frustrated using stars and denticles because the latter are often worn. I usually look at star positions relative to the bust, size and position of the date numerals. It is almost always easiest to examine the reverse first to eliminate a lot of varieties. Because, as Marshall and Conder point out, you can check out the leaf points and how they line up with lettering. For your coin you don't even have to look at the obverse because the leaf tips under S2 and A2 eliminate everything except the N-12. Lance.
