Proof Large cents. These seem EXTREMELY rare. Does anyone know what these go for?

TheLiberator

I was looking at the mintages..10...20...50...

Does anyone know how much these babies usually fetch?

I can't find any history of previous auctions...!

Edit: I found some prices... WOW!!! Do any of you own any of these?

BillJones

The U.S. mint really got serious about issuing complete Proof sets in 1858. Since the last large cents were issued in 1857, that put them in the "never, never land" of partial and assembled sets.

By in large you might be disappointed with the quality of many Proof large cents. Most of them are brown or cleaned up red-brown. You can tell that they are Proofs by the semi-reflective fields if they are nice, the greater sharpness and the squared off edges. I’ve seen more 1857 dated pieces than any other date, but that might not be accurate. I may have been looking at too many of one dealer’s hoard. At any rate if you are looking for representative piece, something from the 1850s is most likely find.

Proof large cents are nice, but there are other coins that excite me a lot more.

coinguy1

TheLiberator, I have handled a few of the more "common" ones. I have bought NGC PR66BN 1857 examples in the $5500-$6500 range. Rarer issues and/or RB pieces can go for considerably more.

I think Proof Large Cents are excellent relative values, not to mention, cool looking coins.

BillJones

Sorry, I forgot the price part.

Coinguy is probably right with then $5,500 to $6,500 range. Back when I saw them in quantity on a Boston bid wall (Worthy Coin) they sold in the $2.500 to $3,500 range 15 to 20 years ago.

coinguy1

It took me a while to find pictures of one that imaged well - here is a PCGS PR64RD 1854 which brought $9750 in May of 2001. There are very few "RD" Proof examples extant for this type.






Edited to add: Here are some prices realized in Heritage auctions (again, thanks to them for the wonderful information available on their site):

1857 NGC PR64BN $4038, July, 2004
1856 PCGS PR64RB $5750, May, 2004
1857 PCGS PR65BN $8050, May, 2004
1857 PCGS PR66BN,$6037, Nov. 2003
1819/8 (a rare one!) NGC PR64BN $43,700, Sept. 2003

MrEureka

Great coins and great value. I've also been buying the proof half cents whenever they're within reason.

BillJones

Yes, that Proof large cent looks better than most anything I've seen offered, at least with respect to color and brightness. That one looks like a "keeper," even if it has been "enhanced" a bit. Something had to knock it down to PR-64 unless PCGS blew it, and I doubt that they did.

Don't expect them to look like the Gem Proof Indian cents from the 1880s and later (really bright and pretty). For the most part they will look like Indian cents from the mid 1860s and '70s. (dullish and something that mostly cent lovers love.)

TheLiberator

Wow! Thanks for the help guys. That one is BEAUTIFUL! These seem like a "value" to me!

mgoodm3

Proof early copper, very cool. i want a couple for type someday. i don't mind them in brown, shows off the strike and detail.

Conder101

Don't have any but I do know a gentleman who collects them by die variety. I'm sure some of the other early copper people here know who I'm talking about.

michael

one of the best threads i have seen on these boards as of late and the responses have been great as regards to pricing and other interesting factoids and the great photo of the red proof coin!!


proof large cents and especially proof half cents are undervalued underrated really scarce historical coins

EVEN one in a collection would be an opportunity and a great value

it would help greatly to get a no brainer proof coin with little to no spots and an original undipped unmessed with red brown coin with some color and a thick original skin either really choice to gem grade

usually proof half and large cents are seen in the 1840's and evenmoreso 1850's


the ultimate coin for me would be a choice proof half cent/large cent that is really historical in the context of a date and to me this would be a coin from the 1830's a classic head proof!!!!!!

and the most sexy date to me would be the 1834

this is the first year the special coin diplomatic sets where produced by the brand new facilities at the US mint having moved there in 1833 and wanted to showcase the new united states as a world power as evidenced by their coins they produced the special strikings of coins in proof with mirror finishes to distribute to new friends in other foreign countries

one of the most famous proof sets of all time is the famous 1834 king of siam proof set which i think will be showcased at this years summer ana with the restrike 1804 dollar and 1804 eagle in proof with the rest of the coins dated 1834


a proof coin from the 1830's would be the centerpiece of any collection especially so the 1834 and the romance and historical context of a proof large cent or half cent-my favorite! would be neat!

and also the classic head design as on the half cents is also seen in the gold coins too and these coins in a nice au could be added at a reasonable cost to the collection with the star of the collection being a proof halfcent of 1834 they are out there and sometimes available if you look hard enough

michael

RYK

This attractive RB example sold for $5750 in a May Heritage auction.



This considerably more scarce 1819/8 sold for $43,700 in a September internet only Heritage auction.

tradedollarnut

A few years back, Legend handled a run of early proof large cents [1819-1838]. I had the opportunity to view most of them and was favorably impressed. As long as you aren't expecting a pretty red IHC quality coin, you won't be disappointed with the nicer specimens. But some out there are a bit dull.

michael

the farther back you go

eye appeal is harder and harder to get with these proof large cents and proof half cents


does anyone know what is the earliest date for a proof large cent and proof half cent is?


michael

Conder101

Earliest date for proof coins from the US mint is considered to be 1817. There are some PL and "specimen" pieces before that date but they are not considered to be proofs.

michael

thanks for the great information conder!

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Great coins and great value. I've also been buying the proof half cents whenever they're within reason.

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Andy Lustig

EurekaTrading.com

R.M. Smythe

USPatterns.com


andy do you have any classic head proof half cents? and what is your favorite date in the proof half cent series?


michael