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Joe G.I like Rhett's list but as already alluded to, N172s are all over the map. Depending on how you define the listing criteria (type set vs complete set, etc.), N172s could be anywhere from top to bottom. Some of the issues listed above are divided into appropriate subsets such as the Kalamazoo Bat cards. Similar division might be appropriate for Old Judges.
This is just a quick swagger at how such a list might shake out (understand there is still significant range in difficulty within most of the following categories).
MOST DIFFICULT
1889 California League
1890 (PL/NL)
1887 Brooklyn minis
1887 script (this includes the Spotted Ties)
1888 Fb (smaller but bold "GOODWIN & CO., New York.")
1888 Fa (larger "GOODWIN & CO., New York.")
1887 short number (this includes the Browns Champs)
1889 all but California League
1887 leading '0', aka long number (lumping together type 1 & type 2)
EASIER
On the master list, the California League N172s would like reside top 3 if not first while the 1887 long number would reside at the bottom.
Regards,
Joe Gonsowski