1988 Head Shot

[MaryJF]

I've been looking for a transitional cent, and came across this one. Can someone explain what's going on with the hair on the back of his head? - Thank you!

This is a "regular" 88 head shot


And this is the one in question.


Two close ups of the one in question.

This is an upside down shot.

[car10]

Hi Mary. Humidity? Bad hair day? Just kidding...I don't know what you've got going on there. What I can tell you is that you are in a good location for finding a 1988 transitional cent. To my knowledge only five examples are known to date. I have been in touch with all of the finders of this very interesting variety. The discovery coin was found in the Syracuse area. The confimation piece was found in southern Maine. I found the third one in the Boston area. The fourth one in southern Maine, The most recent find, from a second die, was found in northeast Pennsylvania. Keep looking, it'll be well worth your time. Please let me know when you find one!

[MaryJF]

Oh, don't worry, Car. As soon as I find one, I'll let you know. I've come across a couple with the right side of the G being much thicker and the bottom of the letter is more flat. I'm having a hard time trying to tell if that stem piece is really there or not. At my age, the eyeballs start to go, you know.

If you have pictures of more of these coins, I'd be happy to see them. The pictures in the Variety Vista are of a more circulated coin, and I have quite a few AU coins in my stash. The initials are much more intense on a newer coin.
Thanks
Mary

[car10]

Mary, I'd love to accomodate you with more detailed photos but I secretly hoping for a stereo microscope for Christmas to help with my photography. My wife won't have a spare $500 anytime in the near future though. The CONECA photos will have to do for now.

[coop]

From the lower image it looks like the die is wearing and making an appearance of extra hair or plating distortion. But I would mark it for a further look again. See what anyone else thinks.

[Rhubarb]

Coop, Car10

Are you referring to what kinda look's like a cowlick? I have been trying to figure this transitional phrase out. I must have missed a few post's or link's. I have seen the cowlick before here, so I am very interested in knowing just exactly what I'm looking for. Any help would be great.

Rhubarb

[Dick]

Coop, and gang, Now that you mention it, I have seen that "funny look" on the back of the head. It is very notable, but at the same time, looks like the rest of the past views. Steven, I believe, posted a series of profiles over the decades, and it is quite obvious, the differences, as to the sutle changes, when compared, side-by-side. The "hair" seems to be "feather-edged" in that year(s). It was only one, maybe two years, but definitely noticable. Wonder if we "missed-the-boat" on that one? I'll bet Chuck could pin that one down, if he wasn't so busy with 10,000 things to get done, and then make the move. Been there, done that! My childhood was a continuous move from here to there, while my Dad worked on the AT&SF, as a thelgrapher! As many as three moves in one year!
Dick