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I need help identifying a coin
EggLover21
Posts: 3 ✭
I need help getting information on this coin for a school project. Any kind of information or insight you have would be much appreciated. My dad said he bought the coin when he was a kid (~late 70s to early 80s) for 40$. It's an American one-cent piece from the year 1800 that says "Liberty" and "1800" on the front and "United States of America","One Cent", and "1/100" on the back. The front side seems to have the design of Lady Liberty and the back side has a wreath surrounding the "One Cent" text.
Pic 1: Front side
Pic 2: Back side
Pic 3: Case markings/writings (none of the back)
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Welcome 😁
We need better pics, we might need it outside the 2x2.
Thanks for sharing
That's Lady Liberty.
Looks to be a large cent in worn but original condition.
Not sure much more can be ascertained without better pictures.
It's one of these:
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1800-1c-bn/1449
Collector, occasional seller
Howdy and welcome.
Your post would likely get more useful responses if you gave us more information, such as what you need for your school project, how much depth or detail, do you need historical context, etc...As is, I would strongly suggest going to your local library or local bookstore and taking out a copy of the Red Book. Nearly every library or major bookstore will have copies of this book and you can use most any edition of it (it is published yearly). Perhaps you dad even has an old copy you can read at home.
Read the Red Book section for this coin, which should only be a few pages long, and you will have nearly everything you need. That is the best way to go about this project, in my opinion.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
@EggLover21
Do a search on:
1800 Draped Bust Large Cent
and see if it matches up.
The request for better pictures is to help determine if it is real / counterfeit, condition (the F on the 2x2 indicates what the previous seller was grading it 'Fine' or numerical '12' but that may or may not be correct), variety...
I did a search and here is one that came up but should find more. And if some large cent people find your thread should get much better references.
https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/5669/large-cents/draped-bust/1800-P/all-varieties/
pcgs page:
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1800-1c-bn/1449
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2YNufnS_kf4 - Mama I'm coming home ...................................................................................................................................................................... RLJ 1958 - 2023
Go to your school or community library and see if they have the book shown below (doesn't matter if its an old edition). It should give you some basic info to get started. If your Dad was a collector, he may even have a copy.
There are specialized books on large cents as well as the history (very interesting subject) that go into a lot more detail. Do a little poking around and come back with some detailed questions. Your initial question is too vague and would require somebody typing in a tremendous amount of information.
Another resource to start researching is the EAC (Early American Copper) group. They may have info on their website. Also check the ANA (www.money.org). Any way you look at it, you're going to end up learning how to do a research project, which is a good thing. Best of luck.
It is an 1800 Draped Bust Large Cent, but your photos do not allow for identification of the varieties such as, 1800/1878 or 1800/79 Better photos please and out of the 2 x 2. Watch the staples when removing.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Here are some better pictures of it out of the 2x2
Did you mean 1800/1798?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
To answer TomB's question. The purpose of the project is less on the coins and more on the research process. In terms of historical significance, if you do have any information on that stuff, key terms to help point me in the right direction are ideal. I'll make sure to read the red book section I bet it'll be very helpful!
Two major points-
1) Read the relevant pages from the book we have pointed out to you. It is full of information that you can help. I cannot stress this enough.
2) Never hold a coin like an Oreo. Hold it by its edges (rim) without placing your fingers on the design elements.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
@EggLover21
Do a search on 'Draped Bust Large Cent History' or similar. There are several links that show up.
The pcgs coinfacts page deals mainly with the coin itself
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/draped-bust-cent-1796-1807/660
This one writes a little more on history.
https://coinsite.com/1796-1807-cent-draped-bust/
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2YNufnS_kf4 - Mama I'm coming home ...................................................................................................................................................................... RLJ 1958 - 2023
I really like your coin
Thanks for sharing
Oh my goodness, fat finger mistake again. Maybe I'll blame it on autocorrect. lol
Yes, the 1800/1878. Thanks Perry.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Nice photos. Yours is the normal 1800 and not either of the overdates. Very nice coin, your Dad had good taste. If you should need any information regarding this coin that is not readily available to you, pm me and I'll be glad to help.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Frankly, you could create one heck of a school project based on that coin. The coin itself is just the springboard.
Use it to paint a picture of life in 1800. How much could that coin buy? How much work (wages) did that coin represent? Was that coin still in circulation in the 1830s (I assume it was) when there was an economic depression we coin collectors know as "Hard Times" when official coins were hoarded and private merchants issued Hard Times Tokens that looked like the large cents they replaced.
Coins of that era tended to circulate locally and some tradesmen counterstamped coins with their name to act as advertisements. Also in wide circulation in that era were Spanish silver coins from mints in various territories in Central and South America.
So much to research and discover with that coin as your starting point.
One thing to note EL21 about your coin is that it appears that verdigris may be forming on your obverse and a soak in Olive Oil for a month or so would help, sometimes 6 months if it is embedded and still may leave pitts. It will only get worse and ruin the coin.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
That coin has a really nice look to it! I think you have received a lot of pertinent information to your questions…. please feel free to reach out to the forum anytime and we will all try to help you!
@EggLover21 .... Welcome aboard.... Nice old coin. The reference book above (Redbook) will give you lots of information on your coin. Good luck with your project. Cheers, RickO
Finding a US coin made 222 years ago and used in commerce has to be uber cool.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
What grade level and level of detail are we talking about here?
Welcome to the forum. I am an egg lover as well. My hope is that you find this coin collecting hobby as something that appeals to you. For me it is a link to history, art, culture, and economics. As long as I have a few coins in my collection I'll never be broke. Have fun!