1817 Matron Head Large Cent N-7 Obverse Die Chip

Description

A die chip on top of Liberty's head distinguishes this 1817 Matron Head (Coronet Head) large cent, attributed as Newcomb N-7 in the standard reference for early American copper cent die varieties. The 13 Stars obverse arrangement places this within the specific obverse configuration used for certain 1817 die pairings. Die chips form when a small piece of the die surface breaks away, leaving a void that fills with metal during striking to produce a raised bump or blob on the finished coin. Unlike cuds, which develop along the rim where the die meets its collar, die chips can appear anywhere across the die face. The Newcomb catalog system, established by Howard R. Newcomb, provides the definitive classification framework for large cent die varieties, and N-7 identifies this specific die marriage among the numerous pairings known for the 1817 date. Matron Head large cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper, and their substantial size made them susceptible to die deterioration that produced chips, cracks, and breaks across the die surface during production runs.

Attribution History

• Discovered by NumisDexDealer
• Newcomb N-7