Are there any type 2 QSOs? The case of AXJ0341.4-4453

The X-ray source AXJ0341.4-4453 was described by Boyle et al. as a Type 2 a ctive galactic nucleus (AGN) at z = 0.672 based on the absence of broad emi ssion lines in the observed wavelength range 4000-7000 Angstrom. We obtaine d a new spectrum of AXJ0341.4-4453 extending to 9600 Angstrom which reveals broad Balmer lines and other characteristics of Seyfert 1 galaxies. The FW HM of broad H beta is at least 1600 kms(-1), while [O III] lambda 5007 has FWHM = 730 km s(-1). The flux ratio [O III] lambda 5007/H beta = 1. Thus, A XJ0341.4-4453 is by definition a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy, or perhaps a moderately reddened Seyfert 1 galaxy, but it is not a Type 2 QSO, Although examples of the latter have long been sought, particularly in connection w ith the problem of the X-ray background, there is still virtually no eviden ce for the existence of any Type 2 QSO among X-ray selected samples.