1793 Half Cent
Eddi
Posts: 505 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is one of my very first EAC purchases, bought back in 1986 or 1987 from Jonathan Kern. It was bought raw, and still is after all these years.
It is quite an attractive coin with nice details, but the planchet is a bit granular as can be seen in my pictures. This is not uncommon in early copper.
I would like to know how you would grade it, and whether you think it would be assigned a straight grade due to the granularity.
I am also attaching pictures of a 1793 half cent (bottom picture) recently sold in Ebay which was graded VG8, straight. The picture are not the best but one One can see this coin has a slightly granular planchet as well, so it seems the TPG does allow some latitude in planchet quality, at least with these early issues.
Thank you in advance for your comments!
Comments
I'm not a huge fan of the really soft reverse on the coin at bottom though it's likely technically accurately graded based on the strength of the obverse. Your piece has softer rims but a MUCH better strike on the reverse. If they call that other piece VG then yours is at least that, imo.
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It looks like a very handsome brown injury-free coin, with a charming full array of berries.
Yes, some granularity is there, but I’m guessing from the pictures that it would straight grade.
Maybe Fine 15? or VF 20?
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That's a coin I'd love to own. You have a great eye and no matter the grading outcome, it's nice.
VG10...F12?
What variety is it?
Nice one - F12 or F15.
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VG10. Not sure you'll escape a VG details holder though.
Thank you very much for your comments and grade opinions. I really appreciate them.
Regarding the question whether this coin would get a details designation - from what I have seen so far, and supported by your opinions , the answer seems to be that it is unlikely, but cannot be excluded.
The variety is C-3 which has a rarity of 3 (300 - 400 examples) .
Your reverse is so much better than the ebay coin, I would hope yours would go 12. Your obverse cap and LI are also better defined.
To me, the coin is VG10 in terms of detail. But I’m not confident it would receive a straight grade, due to environmental damage.
It looks far superior to the VG straight-grade example. However, I think that one caught a break and comparing one coin to another (graded) one doesn’t always lead to a correct grading prediction.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
The TPG services do allow some granularity on these early coppers, surprisingly so in some cases. Your half cent is very nice, but I think a bit too much ED to avoid a details grade.
Nice olde copper !! I would happily choose & own your coin over the VG 8 comparison example.
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Your coin is superior to the pcgs vg-8. I agree with others who think it is a nice fine12
I think it has at least a 50/50 shot at straight grading. And though it may Details on some days, it may straight grade the next time around.
Speaking of Jonathan Kern, I saw him at FUN today, still active in the business, though with a smaller and more esoteric assortment of coins.
I agree with Greg, your coin has as good a chance of grading as of not. I would send it in were it mine and for a registry. If not then keep it raw. Beautiful coin and I think the only benefit to entombing it would be for safety. That year coin in that condition does not seem to drop in value raw. Just my opinion.
Jim
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I was guessing around a 12.
Awesome old coin.
I believe it will straight grade. I often see straight-graded early copper with more porosity. Cool 1/2 Cent!!!
Dave
The graded example looks like a coin at Edleman's. I believe it is the same coin.
I agree that the reverse on yours is much nicer. However, I would grade them the same.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
I am starting to appreciate copper more and more lately, your example is very nice!
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It’ll probably go straight, I’d give it a 10, I’d buy it.
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Nice reverse strike on a really important Type piece... like it at VG10 too... I think there's just not quite enough obverse detail for F12. I might straight grade but this is one piece I wouldn't mind having in a details holder... especially with that much meat on the coin.
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Great looking 1st year coin I would buy it if that was the series I collect and be proud to own it.
Thank you all for your comments.
I do have one more question: if there is a possibility it may go details, is it not better NOT to encapsulate?
(I am thinking about my kids who one day may decide to sell my collection, and for them to get the most value).
I’d recommend having the coin encapsulated, whether straight-graded or details-graded.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I agree with slabbing. The liquidity is well worth the price of encapsulation.
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I agree.
I assume that like many important early copper coins, there are well made electrotypes around. Authentication is strongly recommended.
I do have one more question: if there is a possibility it may go details, is it not better NOT to encapsulate?
(I am thinking about my kids who one day may decide to sell my collection, and for them to get the most value).
Detail grades will verify authenticity, which will be important if your kids sell. I will always have some raw early US coins, but about 95% of my collection is slabbed.
You can always crack a coin out of a details slab.
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IMHO, it's the perfect piece for an Everyman 18th C Type collection... straight graded or details. Early Half Cents (18thC) as a group are super tough to find nice... and as previously mentioned, 19th C electrotypes (collectible in and of themselves), and more modern Chinese fakes are pretty convincing. I've gone to authentication for the newer type in my Box of 20...
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