Altered Large Cent 1847, Any Value?

ozzysdad

I know, its altered, but do they have any value? Found it in Great-Grandfathers coin purse.

I didn't think they used that word back then?



ozzysdad.....

mojorizn

I've actually seen these on eBay and at coin shows. People collect these like store cards (coins that advertise a particular retail store, usually 19th century) and love tokens. I don't think they bring much of a premium, but maybe a little over the regularly realized price.

mojo

lclugza

In the very old days (19th century), if a coin collector was collecting a date set and didn't have a certain date, he might alter another coin to the date he wanted, not for fraudulent resale but just to complete the date run. Some coins got altered to dates that didn't even exist- some large cents got altered to 1815, for example!

Mintmarks weren't altered because no one (to speak of) collected by mint mark until Heaton's book "Mint Marks" came out in the 1890's.

ozzysdad

Thanks, I don't think i would ever part with it..... looks like it had been plated, or had gold leaf , probably an attempt to pass it off as a gold peice?







Desperately in need of some stranger's hand, In a desperate Land.

Lost in a roman wilderness of pain, and all the children are insane!!!!

Quotes, form Jim Morrison, "The End"

A Thot for Mr. Mojorizin

mojorizn

LOVE that song! Thanks, man!

mojo