Large cent enthusiasts, is this common on an 1837?

RCDB

I have seen quite a few large cents with die cracks, but they have all been dated in the teens and early twenties. How unusual is it to find this on the mid to later dates?

mdwoods

Nice looking coin. Great strike.

mgoodm3

nice color

Gemini

Don't know but I agree it sure is a nice looking cent.

TheRegulator

That Obverse appears on varieties N4 and N5 for the year. Both are listed as Rarity-2 or Rather Common.

There are a few different obverse dies for 1837 that develop die cracks, with some quite a bit more dramatic. Quite a few cents from the 1830s develop nice die cracks.

Personally, I much prefer the dies that are all cracked, lapped and/or defective in some way. Lots of character. Nice cent. Check out the CoinFacts for images of other cents.

lkenefic

Nice looking obverse die break on an MS coin...someone around here can probably attribute the Newcomb variety

Leo

RTS

My guess is either Newcomb 4 or Newcomb 5 which I think share the same obverse die - both are R2 varieties I believe.

I think there are 4-5 1837 varieties with quite visible obverse die cracks: N1, N2, N4, N5, N14.

I see now I just reiterated the comments of TheRegulator - I should be more observant.

RCDB

Wow, I never noticed the Coinfacts before. She is a head of 1838. Does that mean that she must be a n9,n10,n11 or n12?

MikeInFL

Regulator hit the nail on the head. It is an N-4 or N-5. Post the reverse and we'll be able to tell which one. FYI, the obverse on the N-4 and N-5 is the same -- the difference is that the N-5 has "small letters" spelling UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the reverse, and the N-4 has larger letters.

Here is an example of an N-5 from my collection (plain cords, small letters):




I must say that your coin is very nicely struck and one I would be proud to own...Mike

RCDB

Here's the reverse. I don't have this in hand yet. "States" looks weakly struck. Thanks for the compliments. I think that I'll be very pleased.

MikeInFL

Your coin is an N-5 -- "Plain Cords, Small Letters", and is an R-2 coin (according to Wright).

In addition to the size of the letters, the spacing between the letters ATE on the reverse is wide on the N-5. On the large letters (N-4), they are much more closely spaced. The spacing of ATE is actually an easier way to distinguish between the two as the actual size of the lettering is not all that much different, despite the nomenclature.

Here are some photos of each:

N-4 : N-5



One question -- what did that coin grade?

Thanks for sharing...Mike

RCDB

It's a MS62BN in a PCGS Slab. Might have some interesting color. The seller's pictures are much better than anything that I will be able to produce.

MikeInFL

<< <i>It's a MS62BN in a PCGS Slab. Might have some interesting color. >>



In all honesty, I do not like the color of this coin. I prefer them more tan or brown than the color that shows in the seller's photo. However, it is what you like that matters so feel free to ignore my comments on the color.

Take care....Mike

AuldFartte

Very cool example!!! Those type of die cracks are pretty common on several of the middle date large cents. The 1837's have some of the nicest, IMO