Rarity: Very 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 was the only use of the obverse die.

The reverse die of this variety also appears on 1839 Newcomb 5 and 1839 Newcomb 7.  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:
VF25.  Ex - Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach Coin Sale", May 27-29, 2001, Lot 1219, illustrated,  sold for $805.00

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