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1793 Half Cent

EddiEddi Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 4, 2024 7:32AM in U.S. Coin Forum

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

  • TypekatTypekat Posts: 382 ✭✭✭✭

    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?

    30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!

  • 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?

  • CopperindianCopperindian Posts: 1,482 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice one - F12 or F15.

    “The thrill of the hunt never gets old”

    PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
    Copperindian

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    Copperindian

  • Manifest_DestinyManifest_Destiny Posts: 6,896 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 4, 2024 10:06AM

    VG10. Not sure you'll escape a VG details holder though.

  • EddiEddi Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 4, 2024 10:36AM

    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) .

  • blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,923 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,514 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 4, 2024 11:40AM

    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.

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 1,934 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • calgolddivercalgolddiver Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice olde copper !! I would happily choose & own your coin over the VG 8 comparison example.

    Top 20 Type Set 1792 to present

    Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set

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  • Farmer1961Farmer1961 Posts: 167 ✭✭✭

    Your coin is superior to the pcgs vg-8. I agree with others who think it is a nice fine12

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,445 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

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  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 4, 2024 5:13PM

    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


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

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  • I was guessing around a 12.
    Awesome old coin.

  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,535 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I believe it will straight grade. I often see straight-graded early copper with more porosity. Cool 1/2 Cent!!!

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • NeophyteNumismatistNeophyteNumismatist Posts: 1,073 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 5, 2024 1:18PM

    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.

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,190 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I am starting to appreciate copper more and more lately, your example is very nice!

  • SimonWSimonW Posts: 904 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’ll probably go straight, I’d give it a 10, I’d buy it.

    I'm BACK!!! Used to be Billet7 on the old forum.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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  • TheGoonies1985TheGoonies1985 Posts: 5,492 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 6, 2024 5:26PM

    Great looking 1st year coin I would buy it if that was the series I collect and be proud to own it.

  • EddiEddi Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 7, 2024 2:28AM

    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).

  • jacrispiesjacrispies Posts: 935 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree with slabbing. The liquidity is well worth the price of encapsulation.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
    BHNC #AN-10
    JRCS #1606

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,445 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Eddi said:
    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.

    I agree.
    I assume that like many important early copper coins, there are well made electrotypes around. Authentication is strongly recommended.

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Eddi asked:

    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.

    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,260 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Eddi said:
    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).

    You can always crack a coin out of a details slab.

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.

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