The Red Book has most 1839 Large Cents listed in the Matron Head Modified: The "Young Head" group. BUT They have one listed with the Braided Hair group but with no descriptors. What is the Newcomb number for that particular coin (or numbers if there are more than one)? AND If there are verbal descriptors attached what are they? OR Does the Red Book have it wrong, i.e., there is no 1839 classified as Braided Hair?
The "braided hair" is the N8 - the 1839 head of 1840. The RB gives it the same classification as the later petite and mature heads of 1840-1857. The "Young Head" is head "style" of 1835-1839. 1835 also included the earlier Matron Heads of 1816-1835. 1835 saw both Matron ad Young Heads.
Thanks. Exactly the info I was after. I'm currently working on a Red Book date/variety set of Braided Hair large cents but didn't know which 1839 variation was included. I've got Grellman's book but he didn't include any 1839 dated coins. In the back of my mind I'm considering a complete Newcomb variety set (as modified by Grellman) for the Braided Hair large cents. But after reviewing all the coins needed that idea gets pushed even further to the back of my mind. Two reasons: -- there's a heck of a lot of them -- there's a few that are labeled "R-8 Unique" (annoying to me knowing I could never complete the set; sort of like the 1894-S SL Dime or the 1933 StG Double Eagle)
