Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents

Obverse 6. First 1 is pointed and the 8 is low, leaning to the right. B is slightly high and leans right. The E also leans right with its base below that of R. Point of the curl is below the inner curve of B. Minute spine from the hair above the first 1, faint line from the drapery through 8 to the rim, and a short vertical die defect right of the final 1. These may not show on worn specimens with any reverse.

Reverse F. Type of 1799. Berry above and left of O(NE) hangs down, like 1798 number 40, but the fraction bar is nearer the numerator than on the latter. Apparently stemless berries between D s and right of (N)E. N(I) appears normal and N(E) lacks its upper right serif. Top left serif of F is short. C(E) and ES are normal.

Die states: Obverse is from an earlier state than on the three following varieties and has no clash marks. Reverse "Fatal Break": an immense retained cud involves ATES. The break begins at the rim above the curve of D and extends through the first S, continuing below T, through the adjacent leaf, the field below TE5, and tip of the top right leaf to the rim between S o.

Equivalents: Encyclopedia 1738. Previously unknown.

Rarity 8. Two known.

Remarks: Axial misalignment explains both the break and the weakness at the upper obverse and lower right reverse, so that LIBERTY is weak and NT and AMERICA cannot be read.

This variety could not be mistaken for anything else with the dubious exception of number 10, but the hanging berry is as diagnostic for this 1801 as it is for 1798 number 40.

Condition Census:

FR-2 Purchased unattributed on 9/23/1987 at the Long Beach convention by Chris Victor-McCawley (CVM) • Jack H. Robinson • Superior Galleries 1/1989: 462 $15,400 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992 • Eric Streiner, 3/20/1992 • Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Stamp & Coin Co. 1/1996: 306 $10,450 • John R. Frankenfield. The discovery coin for the variety by Chris Victor-McCawley. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Noyes (CVM).

BS-1 Purchased unattributed and laid in his junk box of large cents until discovered on 4/17/1988 by James E. Long, Jr. (J. E. L. Coins), 8/6/1988 • Daniel W. Holmes, Jr.

No other examples have been reported.