Attributing Late Date Large Cents
RLSnapper
Posts: 580 ✭✭✭✭✭
I spend many hours each week doing my best to attribute Late Date Large Cents already generically graded by PCGS. Ususally I can't be sure based on the seller's pictures or the Cent is a common one. These past two weeks have been different...I spied a TOP POP 1848 N-22 up for auction on Ebay....MS64BN then an unattributed 1851 N-19 MS65BNCAC...not top pop but a Condition Census coin. These leads were forwarded to a fellow collector I work with who has the same passion for these coppers....just deeper pockets. He was very pleased to obtain both pieces and complimented me on my eagle eye.
Last night I spent a couple hours looking at an 1850 PCGSMS62BN. I have looked at the pictures for a couple weeks and could not attribute the cent. The price was right so I thought I would give it a shot again. My attribution usually proceeds as follows:
1. Look for repunching on the date .
2. Look for die breaks , lumps etc. on the obverse.
3. Look for die breaks , lumps etc. on the reverse.
4. If I find any check against Grellman for a match.
The pictures were lousy and I couldn't find anything but I did notice the 0 in 1850 was close to the denticles. I checked Grellman and to my surprise N-11,26 and 27 all used the same obverse with the 0 close to the denticles..but I needed more proof...and to my good fortune a Proof 1850 N-11 was also for sale on Ebay. Looking at the two coins side by side I wasn't completely sold till I noticed an area of roughness on the upright of E on ONE. This marker was not pointed out in Grellman but the shape and position of the patch was an exact match!! I compared it to the finest known..the Coinfacts Naftzger PCGSMS64BN and it was another exact match! There are 3 MS62BN and I have just found the fourth. There are no other MS in any color.
Here are the pics of the coin I just purchased and the Proof N-11. Do you think I have a match?
What do you think of me being a scout for a fellow collector? Thanks for your feedback.
Comments
You're a good friend.
peacockcoins
Nice looking cent!