Rarity: Scarce

Variety Equivalents: Breen 1873

Notes:
One of the "Booby Head" varieties; identified by the unnatural way the hair curls around the back of the truncation.  

This obverse die of this variety also appears on 1839 Newcomb 5, with which this variety is easily confused.  

This reverse die of this variety also appears on 1839 Newcomb 7 and 1839 Newcomb 12.  In 1999, this reverse was discovered to be a doubled die by Henry Hettger (confirmed by Mike Ellis).

Images courtesy of John D. Wright

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-63 Brown.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 2612, "Booby Head" sold for $690.00  From Heritage's 1999 ANA Sale, Lot 6511

Del Bland graded AU-55.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, lot 529, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "Booby head. Newcomb-10, Low Rarity-3… With a tiny planchet defect below the first A in AMERICA. Choice lustrous medium chocolate brown surfaces with faint traces of a lighter brown color obviously faded from mint red. Diligent searching can locate faint abrasions here and there and on the left reverse edge are four tiny nicks. Well struck and centered. Ex: Superior Galleries 10/2000:1424.", sold for $776.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The Cent Book 1816-1839" by John D. Wright

E-mail correspondence from Henry Hettger, February 22, 2000

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club