http://www.ebay.com/itm/1798-Large-Cent-/200659787771?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item2eb8415ffb I got this one wrong. The reverse has an incomplete loop on the right making it Reverse U. Now my problem is that the open loop is usually associated with S-169 and the wide spacing of LIBERTY appears to be Obverse 23 rather than Obverse 22 (or 24 for that matter). The Reverse is the same die, though this doesn't fit the expected die progression. It still looks like S-170 to me though. What I thought was evidence of dentil clashes at O(F) were apparently just wear.
Boy tough to tell. I do think you are correct with s-170, because it seems on 169 JHF is right foot of t and JHF is right side of T. This looks to be along the right side of the t. At least that is why I think you are correct.
The best identifiers I can find are the width of ER eliminating Obverse 22 which is closer and a slightly larger gap between the top of the 8 and the bust eliminating a perfect die of Obverse 24 which usually has the distinguishing CUD left of L. This is definitely a tricky trio with the reverse die sequencing being of little help. It's almost as if the Obverses were being switched out at random.
