Year: 1831
Type: Liberty (Matron) Head Large Cent
Variety: Small Letters (N-3)
Grade: RAW (Ex.NGC AU 55 BN)
Mintage: 3,359,260
Like the preceeding and succeeding years, the year 1831 has two major reverse type
varieties, the large letters and small letters. The present example is the small
letters variety, N-3, and is among the commonest varieties of the date. The above
example shows a later die state with strong repunching of IBERTY on the obverse.
Interesting to note, the standard reference on the series, by John Wright, does
not mention the repunching of R and Y, as it happened very late in the die's life.
The reverse is most easily attributed because the O in ONE leans to the left, and
strong recutting of the E in CENT (which has faded in this late die state). Thought
to be minted in 1835 because its reverse shares a die with several of that year,
this coin is a nice tan color with lots of mellowed mint luster despite seeing at
least some time in circulation as evidenced by the high point wear.
This coin was purchased from Doug Bird.