Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents

Obverse 5. Date evenly spaced, unlike the other variety with this reverse.

Reverse D. Five berries left and four right, none opposite (N)T. This berry layout is diagnostic.

Edge: Probably beaded (II) or plain (III).

Die states: I. Obverse probably has the clash marks of number 5, state V although preservation does not permit certainty. Perfect reverse die.

II. Obverse bulge from the upper left rim to the lower right rim, affecting the ribbon and drapery. Reverse rotated about 40° from normal.

Equivalents: Sheldon NC-6. EAC 14. Encyclopedia 1707. Rarity 8. Two known.

Remarks: Discovered by Ray Chatham in 1958. The obverse die must have failed at once.

Condition Census

G-4 Sharpness of VG-7 but bent and the obverse nicked. Discovered in 7/1957 by Ray Chatham • Dorothy Paschal • Dr. William H. Sheldon, 4/19/1972 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992 • Eric Streiner, 3/20/1992 • Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Stamp & Coin Co. 1/1996: 192 $3,520 • Daniel W. Holmes, Jr. State I. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Noyes. The discovery coin for the variety.

AG-3 Purchased unattributed in 1973 by William K. Raymond • Denis W. Loring, 5/1974 • Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz • John W. Adams • Denis W. Loring • Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Galleries 9/1986: 192 $3,740 • Jack H. Robinson, 1/23/1988 • John R. Frankenfield. State II.

No other examples have been reported.

Obverse 6. Date spaced 1 797 with the final 7 practically touching a dentil. Die chips above IB, between TY, before the face, near end of the drapery, and diagonally across the final 7.

Reverse D. Five berries left and four right.

Edge: Beaded (II) or plain (III). Plain Edge coins are from Boulton blanks.

Die states: I. Perfect dies. Extremely rare. Discovered about 1955. (Breen, "Cent Collectors' Forum," Numismatist, June 1957, p. 658.)

II. Reverse has double clash marks; bulged at ER.

III. Reverse has five sets of clash marks, the earlier set partly polished away. Cracked from the rim between RI. Flattening on the leaves may exist on earlier states.

IV. Obverse shows extensive rust, especially at LIBERTY and the date. Reverse cracked from the rim through F to the wreath and to the crack of state III. The buckling at ER advances.