1801 Draped Bust LC S-223 Die State IV

This one was attributed as a DS IV in a Heritage Auction a few years ago. These intermediate die states don't seem to be very obvious.

Thanks! I agree completely with your last statement. I'm still not seeing the difference between DS IV and DS V...

With regard to DS IV, Breen talks about the die break above RT touching the left top of Y. Actually, I haven't seen this - the rim break actually touching the Y - even on DS VI coins. Hmm.

There is no way Stage VI could precede stage V because the huge Cud at the end of the bust would have to disappear. As to the Cud at RTY appearing smaller on that stage VI coin do you note the centering of the planchet is off and LIBERTY is much closer to the edge of the coin. Part of that Cud is not present. It is off the edge of the coin making it look smaller. Breen is wrong about one thing though, even in stage VI the Cud never touches the left arm of the Y. So the description of Stage IV is wrong. Also the clashes he mentions on the reverse of Stage IV are visible on the coin pictured in the book as stage III. It is possible stage IV doesn't exist.