1808 Half Cent - Thoughts?
Steven59
Posts: 9,909 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just picked this up at the LCS this afternoon ...... I talked him down because of the Verdigris to 50$ + 10 rolls of 1920/30's circulated wheat cents. I may be able to address the Verdi. So any thoughts? Grade wise?
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
1
Comments
You have to get that verdigris off of that coin.
I'm trying - will post pics if it's doable. May have been on their too long and has been eating into the surface.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
VG-8? Bet your Verdi could take care of the Verdigris. Do you think the coin took a major hit on the obv, pushing out the rev? Still a nice coin!
I'd guess VG10 details.
I also think quite a bit of that verdigris is there to stay. That looks like the real crusty stuff that's hard to remove, and you might not like what's under it if you do. But maybe others who've worked with Verdigone have better inputs.
Not bad for the price paid if you're on a budget, and FAR more interesting than rolls of wheat cents!
Yeah - but not showing a major obverse hit? Sure as Heck can't say BB gun -
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Details coin.
Just my eversohumble opinion.
USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.
Yes, I do believe the Verdi
has become part of the surface but I'm a gonna give it a huge soak in some Skunk Piss - can't hurt.
If at least it will be stopped at the point it is at - who knows?
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Thanks for the replies - !
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
VG sharpness with corrosion and a significant hit at the back of Ms. Liberty's neck that shows on the reverse at the "H" and "C."
The variety is Cohen 1, the normal date. Note that the finial "8" was made by punching two "O"'s on top of each other. In his book, Roger Cohen noted that this showed low regard for the half cent at the first mint.
I am not up on what these coins are worth, but the AG price on "The Greysheet” is $40 and $75 in Good.
In general the 1808 half cent is tough to find in grades above VF, but, of course, we are well below that level here.
Good luck removing the verdigris.... While I believe the coin will 'details' grade, it is worth saving. Cheers, RickO
The verdigris may not be corrosion. It almost looks like what develops when a coin is left in a leather purse for many, many years. You may want to try soaking it in a solution of warm water and ammonia and then go over it very gently with a Q-tip. In this case you don't have that much to lose since it will still be a "details" coin regardless of the outcome. It is always going to be a coin for a budget set but it would look much better without the "green stuff".
Well I tried what you mentioned - nothing changed. I even applied some real Verdi-Care with no results. I'll just use it as a type coin for now. I just will keep an eye on it, after all the treatment at least maybe it will be in check and not progress any further.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I guess I became a copper snob in my days. I will just say enjoy!
Hmmm, that's a shame. Well, you tried.
I wouldn't want to make it worse, but...... just a thought I had or read somewhere before. They put the coin in the freezer. Multiple cycles, in and out of the freezer. Freeze then thaw, freeze then thaw. The on-going expansion and contraction will/should/may loosen the foreign material. Who knows!
It really doesn't look that bad in hand - The large pictures amplify the details of the crud.
This is more What it looks like - I can live with it.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
In my opinion, the verdigris isnt a worry at this point. If it is hard rather than flaky I wouldnt worry about it. Poke it with a toothpick see if any of it comes off maybe?
Yep, I was gonna say it seems like crystals growing off of a host rock - very hard.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
There are plenty of budget collectors who will want that coin, problems and all. The 1808 date is a draw in itself.