Help with 1798 Lg Cent......

whitebuffalo

I am trying to figure out what variety this is. I believe it to be a S-183 due to the die crack at the last A in America that goes through the tail of the bow. Can anyone tell me what other characteristics would be found if it is a S-183. It is a in VG, and if it is a S-183......estimate on value?

Thanks!!!

lordmarcovan

Nope, I can't help you with Sheldon numbers, I'm afraid.

Plenty here who can... but you apparently forgot the picture?

Agflyer

I don't know anything about large cents, but I think this personknows his stuff. If you click on the link that says "personal collection", you can compare your coin to his pictures. He's got several sheldon varieties for each date. Hope that helps.

lordmarcovan

Wow, he has a pretty impressive collection. Nice link, Agflyer.

Wonder if that person has ever come around here.

lordmarcovan

Oh, and despite asking myself why I cared, I checked out the weather in Rimforest, CA, too.

It's ten degrees warmer here. Nyah, nyah.

whitebuffalo

Thats where I got the info I have from.... he mentions the peaked hair wave...I dont understand what he is telling me here.

Thanks for the quick replies!!!!! I appreciate the help !!

whitebuffalo

Sorry I cant post a pic of it. Just trying to figure out what I should be looking for on it and some kind of value if it is S-183.

rhedden

There is a 99.9% chance it is S-184 , which is extremely common and has the same die cut on the "A" on the reverse. A VG S-184 is worth $20 to $100, depending on what your idea of VG is. There is an 0.1 % chance it is S-183, which is rare, and would be worth $200 to $750, again depending on what you consider to be a VG.

[edited to say that my description of the S-184 wasn't accurate]

whitebuffalo

No...nothing coming out of the 9. The date is pretty clear on this coin. The coin is worn, but no corrosion or pitting.

whitebuffalo

The date on mine is worn the same as this one, is that clear enough to see the sprig you are talking about?
http://www.largecents.net/collection/coinpics/s173.jpg
Is that the "horned" 9?

whitebuffalo

Any other characteristics I can look for to narrow it down??

lordmarcovan

S-173, linkified.

whitebuffalo

Pics!!!!! Does this help any? Date clear enough for you to double check me on the sprig?

whitebuffalo

I have tried to find Penny Whimsy by Sheldon and it seems it out of print and unavailable or cost $100.00 from the book companies that have it, and is stilll 3-4 weeks out. Wondering.....would some one who has the book be willing to scan the page or pages about the S-183 and e-mail it to me?

Conder101

Your picture isn't lage enough for me to really tell but I suspect it may not be either one. That reverse was also used on S-182 and I don't have a picture of one at hand to be sure. It looks though like the 9 is lower on your coin than on either the 183 or the 184.

The 183 and 184 can be VERY difficult to tell apart especially in low grade. One key thing to look for on the 184 is a "spur" off the top left serif of the 7 that curves up to the left. Even on the nice one from TD's collection it isn't clear. You really can't see where it joins the 7 but it appears as a lump in the field above the space between the 1 and the 7.

Other differences between the 183 and 184 can be seen in the spacing of LIBERTY. Look at the wave of hair below the E. On the 183 it is below the right edge of the upright of the E. On 184 it is below the center of the upright. The wave below the R is below the left edge of the upright on both varieties. On the 184 the wave is broad and smooth, on the 183 it is narrower and more peaked. And the junction where the hair meets the forehead is slightly further right compared to the T on the 183 than on the 184 but that is hard to see.

The 9 is also very slightly higher on the 183 than the 184 but it is almost impossible to tell that without an overlay.

I'll have to get bac to you on diagnostics for the 182. (It is also an R-5 variety but not as tough as the 183.)

Penny Whimsy is out of print I believe but it should be readily available. The 1990 edition normally runs $40 to $50 dollars but you don't want it, the pictures are lousy. The earlier editions can be had for about $10 to 15 dollars more and the plates are much better.

whitebuffalo

WOW THANKS!!!!!! We have a match!!! It is a dead on match to the 184. Everything you mentioned and I saw in the pic is on my coin. Really learned alot...I truly appreciate the time and effort you took to instruct me. THANKS AGAIN!!!!

rhedden

Oops, I must have been very tired last night. The sprig coming out of the upper left side of the 7 is what I was referring to in my description of the S-184, but for some reason I said it was the upper right side of the 9 (that would be the S-148). Sorry for the wrong info. Your S-184 coin is a nice VG+ and is worth in the ballpark of $100-$125, in my opinion.

whitebuffalo

LOL...Well it was getting late last night... Hey I appreciate ANY input I can get !! Kinda new to this but trying. Thanks Again!!!