Year: 1840
Type: Braided Hair (Petite Head) Large Cent
Variety: Large Date (N-9)
Grade: RAW
Mintage: 2,452,700

The year 1840 begins the last major type of large cents which continues
until the last year in 1857. A type known for the large number of
vareities and difficulty in attribution, the present example is quickly
attributed by the telltale obverse die crack. Easily identified by such
as N-9, it is a faily scarce R3 variety and one of the six varieties of
the 1840 large cents that have the larger date, and one of two that do
not have a hole in Liberty's ear. Using the Wright reference, this
coin seems to be die state C, a middle die state, described as "Crack
reaches nose. Lines over ER [on reverse in dentils] faint."

A virtual look-alike to the 1939 Petite Head in my collection, this coin
has a few more contact marks than its older sister, but again they do not
detract from the overall look or attractiveness. Mint luster hides under
the light chocolate coloration, and a touch of wear is found on the high
points from a brief stay in circulation. A few ticks and taps are found
on both sides, including a small planchet flaw or strikethrough on the
revese below the wreath.

This coin was purchased from Doug Bird.