1878-P B2 reverse conundrum - guru input welcomed

[keilg1]

I thought this a nice, but likely, plain Jane (no offense to Janes out there) variety.

Now I'm perplexed, having marched through all variations looking for a fit. Ended up having a fit (or two) but no success.

The short story: clear B2 reverse, 4th star broken, r in trust broken, closed o in God, some doubling but nothing I can line up, and a whole bunch of PUPs that has brought about the conundrum.

Sorry there'll be a lot of pictures to follow but I'd like you to see what I see. Whomever points out the blindingly obvious answer will have my respect but I will also loathe you for seeing what I couldn't. First photos, the standard stuff; the additional ones, the fun/frustrating stuff.

Thanks in advance for your patience and input.

FCO:

78PB2rev386GRed_FCO.jpg (256 KiB) Viewed 299 times

FCR:

78PB2rev386GRed_FCR.jpg (256 KiB) Viewed 299 times

Broken 4th right star:

78PB2rev386GRed_broken 4th star.jpg (192.06 KiB) Viewed 299 times

Closed o (God):

78PB2rev386GRed_closed o God.jpg (145.75 KiB) Viewed 299 times

Broken r (trust):

78PB2rev386GRed_broken trust.jpg (160.98 KiB) Viewed 299 times

[keilg1]

Next batches, the obverse PUPs:

Triple scratches inside the ear:

78PB2rev386GRed_ear scratches.jpg (169.47 KiB) Viewed 298 times

A wonderful scratch in the bonnet fold:

78PB2rev386GRed_die scratch cap fold.jpg (145.22 KiB) Viewed 298 times

No strong scratches within a doubled LIBERTY:

78PB2rev386GRed_2x LIBERTY with scratches.jpg (144.57 KiB) Viewed 298 times

And, a bit of fun with the date: doubled 7 (ish)

78PB2rev386GRed_878.jpg (149.39 KiB) Viewed 298 times

And something that looks to be something in the denticle space (but not a MPD, I don't think):

78PB2rev386GRed_denticle below 7 details.jpg (160.35 KiB) Viewed 298 times

[keilg1]

More on the obverse.

Die scratches galore:

78PB2rev386GRed_die scratches hair ribbon.jpg (158.43 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_die scratches hair and claw.jpg (153.62 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_die scratches cotton leaf onto cap.jpg (166.24 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_die scratches above hair vee.jpg (157.91 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_die scratch lower cotton leaf.jpg (153.66 KiB) Viewed 298 times

[keilg1]

More obverse fun:

78PB2rev386GRed_spike above eyelid and die scratches.jpg (141.76 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_scratches near cotton leaf.jpg (167.59 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_hair D area.jpg (186 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_hair curl and ear chips.jpg (151.8 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_full nostril with chip inside.jpg (158.5 KiB) Viewed 298 times

[keilg1]

And, finally, some MINOR die cracking along the left stars that might help ID this:

78PB2rev386GRed_crack 4th and 5th left star.jpg (79.39 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_cracks 5th to 6th left stars.jpg (77.73 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_cracks 6th to 7th star left.jpg (98.71 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_crack 7th star left to E.jpg (120.28 KiB) Viewed 298 times

78PB2rev386GRed_E (PLUR).jpg (125.44 KiB) Viewed 298 times

[keilg1]

Enough of the obverse (although there's more), here's the reverse.

[keilg1]

And:

[keilg1]

Finally, and thanks for your patience!

[Vam-mysterio]

Nice
Vam 186A (v183)

[vamnuke]

Scarce; my discovery back in the day; usually PL. Nice find…

[keilg1]

Scarce; my discovery back in the day; usually PL. Nice find…

Bloody 'ell this is a FUN coin. I marched past it after looking briefly because my coin has a lot more going on than described. I suspect this is an earlier die state but would love to hear from the owners of the 15 or so others (SSDC registry) if they also see such deep scratch lines and the fun die polishing lines.

I can post a few additional pictures onto the page if the community thinks they'd help inform others (and generate more interest!).

[vamnuke]

Die crack on reverse tells me this is a later die state…

[vamsterdam]

Lots of super sharp people here.