This is an interesting S-168 (R3) because it seems to contradict the die crack progression laid out by Breen, who was following the sequence laid out by Clapp. It is noteworthy that Breen had not seen either of the early die states proposed by Clapp. Essentially, this shows a crack through MER and a second light crack left of S through STAT, This is different from a crack through UNITED STATES and crack free above AMERICA. It would be interesting to see if Noyes found either of those early die states or followed Clapps lead as Breen did. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1798-Large-Cent-XF-Detail-173-/261191158944?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3cd034cca0
It looks to me like an S-168 State III coin. The surfaces are slightly corroded which makes parts of the crack impossible to see but they all seem to be there. I don't see the crack through the terminal leaves though so I can't say it is a State IV. It definitely appears to be later than State II though. Still S-168 clearly had to precede S-153 because State I of S-153 is the same or later than State IV of S-168.
Corrosion, the bane of my attribution skills. Sometimes it makes me see too much and sometimes too little.
