Need Help on R-5, S-34 etc...

Shane6596

Been looking at old copper coins in holders and see R-4 or S-65. My book on old copper coins hasn't come in yet, maybe it will have this info in it. I tried google searching but it keeps talking about mint marks or RB, BN etc. I know the RB is red brown, BN is brown, its the R-x or S-x that i cant find info on.

Any help or a link on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Walkerguy21D

The R-x is the estimated rarity rating, based on a potential range of surviving specimens. R-1 is the most common, R-8 is the least common, like only a couple known. R8 coins are then generally known as NC's, which stands for Non Collectible, meaning those trying to get all the die varieties, don't need to include those. These are further delineated by stating say R-2, then there is a High R2, meaning less or fewer within the R2 range, and Low R2, meaning on the high side of the range (ie more plentiful, but still in the range of estimated R2)

Speaking of die varieties, these are known by the folks who studied these extensively.
S stands for Sheldon, who developed a number system for all early large cents from 1793 to 1814. His numbers start with the first coin variety he believed struck in 1793, and called it S-1. They run up through S-295, the last variety of the year struck in 1814.
N stands for Newcomb, who developed a similar numbering system, but by DATE, so each date from 1816 to 1857 will have N-1, N-2, etc. varieties

lilolme

I am not a copper collector so probably better resources available. The rarity scale is used on many other series but it can and sometimes does also change from series to series. Not sure how accurate this one is for large cents.

https://www.pcgs.com/news/what-are-sheldon-varieties

https://largecents.net/rarity.html

TomB

You've received excellent advice already!

Walkerguy21D

Bear in mind, the R- scale can and is used for estimating scarcity in other series:

Shane6596

Ok, so ill never see an S-291 on a 1793 coin, correct? It should be a S1-S12 or something? Then a 1794 would be S13-70 etc

Walkerguy21D

@Shane6596 said:
Ok, so ill never see an S-291 on a 1793 coin, correct? It should be a S1-S12 or something? Then a 1794 would be S13-70 etc

Correct!

lilolme

Found it. This is a link posted previously on rarity scale. Again I have not verified all of these.

https://www.novanumismatics.com/the-various-numismatic-rarity-scales/

Shane6596

Perfect, all the info is making much more sense now, thanks.

ricko

Good questions and good answers. This forum is a great resource for all aspects of numismatics. Cheers, RickO