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 Replies: 12 / Views: 8,720 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
The 1871 "Shallow N" variety represents a recent and important discovery for IHC variety collectors. In fact, the demand for this scarce variety has grown so hot that this coin now commands 4X-8X the price of a "normal" 1871. Here are the major diagnostic points of this coin, which can all be determined by carefully examining "ONE CENT" on the reverse. Compare the notes below to the two coins in my photo.
- a. As "Shallow N" suggests, the N in ONE is noticeably shallower, showing a concavity in the diagonal stroke. In poorer grades, the N may almost wear into the field compared to the surrounding letters. In higher grades, you may see a raised edge on the lower side of the diagonal stroke--visible in the photo
- b. Compare the top serifs of this N. In the "Shallow N", these serifs are noticeably longer. Also compare the distances between NT in CENT. This variety is easy to spot by just this one feature.
- c. Compare the extension of the middle serif of the E in both words. In the "Bold N", these serifs are trumpet-shaped, with a smooth curve from end to end. In the "Shallow N", the serif has a noticeably narrow midsection terminating in a sharp angle to the wider part
 Important note: a very convincing counterfeit of this variety has surfaced, so AU-MS grades should be slabbed or otherwise authenticated. Edited by KurtS
10/26/2008 12:11 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Kurt, How would one counterfeit a coin like that? and,how could one make the "N" in the bold variety, look like the "N" in the shallow variety, and if you had a VG grade, could you tell? Just curious, that's all.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5318 Posts |
Shafta9, the counterfeit is very sophisticated and obviously very carefully made--probably die struck. Quote:
if you had a VG grade, could you tell? I think with a little practice, you can tell these apart even in G4 by the comparing the serifs and distances between NT in CENT--does it come across in the photo above? |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Yes, it does , Kurt, BTW, very nice pics. What would a coin like that be worth in VG? |
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New Member
United States
46 Posts |
Awesome Kurt! I am going to dig through my indian heads and see if I have this variety.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Thanks! In the Red Book for IHCs, Rick Snow values a "Shallow N" in VG8 as $300, vs. $80 for the normal "bold N" reverse. Do you have a 1871? I'd enjoy seeing pics! Edited by KurtS
10/26/2008 3:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1571 Posts |
Kurt, could the "shallow "N" be a weak strike"? I don't note very much difference in the rst of the devices, as far as being more, or less, bold. Counterfeit was mentioned; is this coin a counterfeit? I don't have a '71, to look at, much less two of them to compare.
Dick
Edited by livingdinasaur
10/27/2008 01:19 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Dick, the "Shallow N" variety is created by a different hub variety--documented by Rick Snow and others. The difference may be subtle in places, but they are present on every "Shallow N" reverse. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
Kurt, Does the shallow "N" occur in any other years? I seem to remember reading discussion about that question.
Thanks
Jim
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
Kurt:
Thanks for the info, I'll add it to my cherrypicking list.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Sorry, I missed the updates to this thread... Jim, yes--the "Shallow N" or "Hub C" reverse was in use from 1864-70. In 1870, there were several double-hubbed reverses using the older "Shallow N" and newer "Bold N" hub or "D/C". I have one of those coins. Additionally, the following dates used reverse dies made with the shallow N hub: 1871 (two proof varieties and pairings with two obverses). 1873 and all 1877 business strike reverses--this is an important criteria used for authentication. Note: the above info was taken from Rick Snow's 1870-1889 attribution guide, page 1. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
I've got to get my hands on those guides. Every time I look at one of my IHC's I want to bang my head on the desk for not getting them already! I called today to make sure they had them at the shop, and I'm headed down later this week to get 'em. I suppose I won't be cherrypicking IHC's at that particular place  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2669 Posts |
By the way, Kurt, great write-up and pictures... very helpful!  |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 8,720 |
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Posted 10/26/2008 2:55 pm
