Pre-Long Beach Auction #84

1798 S-174 R2 Small 8, Style II Hair VG7. Sharpness near VF20 where the details were properly struck up, but the obverse is covered with myriad light scratches, all blended into the natural toning. The major flaw on this cent is the uneven strike. The bottom part of the obverse and opposing upper part of the reverse were poorly struck due to axial die misalignment (the die faces were not parallel). As a result the date is faint with only the 98 partially visible, and most of STATES is gone as well. Glossy dark chocolate brown and steel with lighter chocolate toning on the highpoints. LDS, Breen state V. The die clashmarks are strong and the lower half of the numerator is very thin. An interesting piece in spite of the obverse scratches.
Estimated Value $100-UP.