Comparing Two 1802 Draped Bust Cents
Eddi
Posts: 509 ✭✭✭✭✭
These are two examples of the Sheldon-238, the scarcest of the collectible 1802 Draped Bust cents varieties at Rarity-4.
S-238 is an interesting variety as the best known are VF30s, none better per EAC criteria. This is quite interesting because most of the other 1802 varieties exist in Mint State grades.
One of the examples shown here is the best known (per Noyes), and has an illustrious pedigree having belonged in both the Sheldon and Clapp collections. The other example is from my collection.
Can you please let me have your views on how you compare both of these cents.
I find it a bit difficult to be totally objective and would thus like to hear what you think.
Thank you!
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Comments
I personally like the one on the left better.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
Interesting write up.
The one on the right looks AU, possibly/probably cleaned a very long time ago and retoned.
The one on the left looks to be a slightly later die state, XF details, possibly brushed and or tooled on the obverse.
I don’t attempt EAC grading, which can and does vary even among the specialists.
Edited to add after rereading your post:
I think the coin on the right is the nicer of the two. It might straight grade at NGC.
The one on the left is also pretty good for what it is.
I don't know anything at all about copper, but from an outsider's perspective I like the coin on the right. It just seems more natural (or as close to it as early copper can get). Wear aside, the left coin looks like it has more corrosion that isn't due to the die and seems to have been a bit more obviously cleaned.
I believe the coin on the left has been burnished and recolored. It had rough surfaces at one time, which were closer to the darker patch to the right of the date. Most of the roughness/verdigris was ground off, and the coin was recolored - but they missed a spot inside ONE CENT. Around the edges of the reverse, the color is way too even and consistent for Draped Bust copper, which gives away the recoloring job. Does it matter on a coin that is among the finest known of a tough variety? Not much at all, because you can't really wait for a better one.
The coin on the right has some contact marks in front of the portrait and a few distracting dings about the neck. The reverse has sharper detail than the coin on the left. Has the reverse been recolored at some point? The obverse looks natural, but light flecks about the reverse are suspicious. I don't know how original it is, but I like the color better overall compared to coin #1.
Which coin is better? It's about even. The left coin has less in the way of contact marks and dings, but the right coin is slightly better in terms of details and has more natural obverse color to my eyes. I think I would go with the coin on the right because the burnishing of the left coin bothers me a bit. It's hard for me to say that, because I prefer to avoid early copper with dings and contact marks.
With the caveat that I know little about EAC, I would pay more for the coin on the right.
I think the coin on the right is higher grade with better surfaces. And maybe an earlier die state looking at the reverse cracks.
I’ve done a little more homework, and waiting to hear @Eddi ’s backstory.
In the meantime let’s hear from a few more copper guys, like @opportunity , @lkenefic, and @Auratea
Same here, though they’re both nice.
The one on the right doesn’t have spectacular eye appeal but it appears to be the more honest coin. The one on the left seems to have had some work and, as is the case with humans, that work appears less attractive the closer one looks.
My own S-238 (if you don’t mind):
Smitten with DBLCs.
The hair on the left coin may have been tooled.
Buying and Selling coins for 54 years, 700+ shows in last 20 years, and boy am I tired.
Purchased and Trademarked the Mohawk Valley Hoard
Originated the Rochester (NY) Area Coin Expo
Sorry I botched your forum name!
I am going with door #2.
I would go with #2. Both are in the EF grade range. Neither is “original,” but then most early copper coins have been worked on in one way or another. #2 appeals to me more.
No worries! I knew what you meant…
Smitten with DBLCs.
Tough choice. I think the coin on the right has slightly better details grade and the coin on the left has a little better eye appeal. They've both been messed with in the past.