1798/1799 cent question

HoosierDaddy

Sorry, no pics.

The date is about worn flat - It is a type 2 hair, and at 1st sight thought it was a 1788 on the date line, but no 1788 in this design! Looking at attributions, determined it must be a 1798 or 99, is there any other way, maybe on the reverse that would distinguish the two?

Overall the coin is a P-01 Obverse, and an F-12 reverse with two deep gouges across the obverse. Still a coin I do not have, and for $4, what the hey! The dealer could not pop a date at all, and only with a 10x could I see the outlines of the 179 and the top 1/4 of the last number - either an 8 or a 9. Probably just wishful thinking that it may be a niner...

Rittenhouse

First, there are no 1788 US (federal) cents. In fact, no federal cents until 1792.

As to 98 or 99, there are only 2 obverses and 3 reverses for the 1799 so it should be easy to id. Get a book on LCs & do the attribution. Or if you post a CLEAR scan, several members can probably attribute.

HoosierDaddy

I figure that I will have to get a book - the Red Book is of no assistance to the level I need for attribution. Any suggestions on a good LC book?

Rittenhouse

IMHO, the Noyes books are the best for attribution.

Conder101

One starting clue, if you can see the R in Liberty see if the highest wave of the hair is to the right of center of the R. This is only true of 11 obverse dies in the entire draped bust large cent series and both of the 1799 obverse dies have that feature. Also since the reverse is so much nicer, look for a die chip in the field between the E in ONE and the T in CENT. ALMOST all 1799 S-189's have that die chip.