2 centers...is it Russ???

dwood

Someone here is avid on the 2 centers, which is where I'm heading next. I think it was Russ? Yes?
1865 in MS 65...with no respect t the PCGS projection, what should it go for raw?

Thanks in advance,

Russ

I'm still very new to them, so I might not be the right person to ask. But, MS65 is only part of the equation. What is the color? BN, RB or RD?

Russ, NCNE

dwood

RD! and even PL.

I've already bought it, and I'll never let it go, because it really is a beauty to me...which is really all that matters, huh?

But what should I be looking for when purchasing the 2 centers? I'm VERY new to them, but do find them quite beautiful and intriguing. Any hints/tips/advice for a true neophyte???

Russ

dwood,

At this point, any advice I could give would be the blind leading the blind. The only ones that I buy raw are in the EF grade range. That way if I screw up, it isn't costing me much money. Like you, I'm a neophyte and I really can't risk giving out advice that might be incorrect.

Russ, NCNE

dwood

Fair enough.
So we'll study and learn together...If I find out something beyond "Man this thing is cool!!!" I'll let you know

perfectstrike

Add me to the 2c newbie club. I'm concentrating on strike, luster and eye appeal. I didn't buy any additional reference books, but have reread a lot of old articles describing populations and weakly struck years and types. I also looked for as much information as I could find about obverse and reverse die characteristics too. I asked a lot of FUN dealers about the denomination, but didn't get too much info about prices. Prices seemed to be all over the spectrum for raw material. I also bought a 1865 in 65RD. If nothing else it was a nice upgrade for my type set.

I'm going to try and find somebody that collects them locally, so I can find use them as a mentor.

perfectstrike

66Tbird

I've been looking for that "just right look" in a 2 cent piece for almost two years. I love the one our Lord picked up BTW. Every time I get the $$$ a nice something else pops up. At least I found the 20c that was on the same list

Catch22

I'm certainly no expert on the series. The Two Cent coins seem to be stuck in the same funk as the 3 Cent Nickel. While many varieties exist (several quite rare) collectors have never warmed up to the series. Many of these coins were melted when they became obsolete. Mint State examples of the 1872 are often weakly struck proofs. I would be leary of any offerings not slabbed. The Proof only 1873 is not terribly difficult to find, the restrike being a little more difficult. I believe Heritage had one for sale last year in one of their auctions.

A good example of a truly rare series of coins that have little demand and suffer disproportionately in value. On the positive side, it seems the 3CN has started to generate some interest from collectors. Could the Two Cent follow suit?

My personal "two cents worth" is that they are the ugliest coin ever minted by the United States. Having said that, I would still consider adding a Mint State example of the 72 to my collection if the price was right and I had the funds available at the time.