1837 Large Cent. great looking, but.....

Nice details on the coin - yeah you can tell it has been recolored. Reminds me kind of the first coin on this site. There is one seller on ebay that I think all of his coins looks like this - well maybe not as nice. Still a nice coin.

 

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So are you calling it a Matron Head, a Braided Hair... or both ? Which hole(s) does it fill ?

 

It fits into the coronet head slot, 1816-1839 in the Dansco 7070.

 

Makes sense.

I 'm really interested in that transitional range of years (1836-1839) while the engravers were evolving a new Liberty - ultimately known as Braided Hair late dates.

Contrast Liberty on your coin with this one, typical of the Coronet (Matron) middle dates :

http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1122&Lot_No=210

 

Yes indeed. A very different look. It should be a type all by itself ouside of the 37-39.

 

I agree. Looks like the reverse die was worn on the edges, explaining the lines and the weaker strike in "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" verses the better center strike in "ONE CENT". I too think it may have been recolored at some time. But, overall, I'd still say it's a very nice coin regardless of it's problems.
Guy~

 

There would be at least four types in the years 1836-1839 alone !

Fascinating stuff, these large cents.

 

There are 3 in 1839 alone - booby head, silly head, 1839 type of 1840. And 4 if you want to count the 1839/6.

 

I gotta say thats a nice coin even if it has been recolored. Its soooo hard to find decent problem free specimens in higher grades and that one is one of the better ones I've seen in a while.

 

The features you are concerned about are not worrisome -- they are die flow lines and die erosion.

As for the coin itself, it appears to be recolored. All in all an attractive coin, regardless. Congrats on your NEWP....Mike

 

Thanks all! I am very relieved, and learned something new. I'm so glad to have found this forum and have all of you to set me straight. The seller is one of the better ones on ebay (tradewindbooks), and went out of his way to make sure I was satisfied.

It is an absolutely beautiful coin in hand, and is a great addition to my collection.

 

I've been referred to as "silly head" from time to time. :goofer:

 

900....And here I thought Booby Head matched your pic a bit better:

 

Oh, I've called Booby Head as well ! But I wasn't going to "go there", if ya know what I mean

 

Actually the head changes get started in 1834 There are something like eight different head designs between 1834 and 1839. And here are 5 different heads in 1839, Head of 1836 with plain hair cords, head of 1838 with beaded cords and no hair curl on forehead, Silly head with hair curl and lower right point of bust not exposed, booby head with hair curl and lower right bust point extends through curl, and Petite head (head of 1840)