In 1995 i bought an old 1600's-early 1800's vintage copper, nearly large cent sized, with the word "COLON" within two bars, struck across the face of it. Since 1995, I have not been able to identify it and neither has anyone else. Therefore, it's clear to me that I own the rarest coin on the face of the earth.
Ok that picture told me what I wanted to know. I was right on the attribution, S-127. (1797's can be tough to attribute.) As I said the rariety is down to R-4 but it is still a tough variety especially in better condition. Your's is very nice and a coin to be proud of.
What would be some good publications to do research on these types of coins? You mentioned Peny Wimsy. I shall assume that this may be out of publication but are there others?
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
Penny Whimsy is still in print but the latest edition (1990) isn't worth having. They added all of the new discoveries since it was first published in 1958, but the reproduction of the plate is so bad that they are not much more than black circles.
A better book, but considerably more expensive and not as easy to find is United States Large Cents 1793 - 1814 by William Noyes. Noyes has taken the text from Penny Whimsy and added his own pictures. Big three inch sharp pictres of, in many cases, the finest known specimen of each variety. Diagnostic features are pointed out on the plates and die state information is listed plus an extended Condition Census. (Bill is one of the two people who keeps the early date CC. He is also an EXCELLENT photographer and has pictures of the top 15 to 20 coins of each variety.)
A practical third choice is Walter Breens Encyclopedia of Early Large Cents 1793 - 1814. A big thick book that has a LOT more background and historical information, is actually the most up to date book of the three, has big 2.5 inch pictures of good quality (but not as good as Noyes). Disadvantages are that it is TOO big and heavy to carry to shows, and Breen has renumbered the series to match the latest thinking of what the emission sequence actually was. But the hobby still uses Sheldon's numbers from Penny Whimsy so you have to use a conversion chart to know where to look if you want to look up a Sheldon number in Breen. Not a major probem but it is a little annoying. (Breen numbers may prevail eventually. Collectors, like most people are resistant to change but the old guard eventually dies away. Sheldon, although he renumbered the series and his numbers became standard, never learned his own numbers and knew all of his cents by their old Hayes numbers.)
A good "book" for carrying to shows is an auction catalog of either the first Robinson S Brown Sale (Superior 1986), the Jack Robinson sale (Superior 1989), or the second Robinson S Brown Sale (Superior 1996). Each of these contains complete sets of the Sheldon numbered varieties and many of the NC or "Non-Collectible" varieties with every lot plated. And not just plated but with the diagnostics of each die listed as well aking it a pretty good attribution guide as well in its own right. The Jack Robinson sale also includes multiple die state specimens of many varieties and a nearly comple variety set of Half Cents as well. The second Robbie Brown sale is the most complete early date large cent set that has ever been sold. All 295 numbered varieties, and about 45 of the 60 NC varieties. Only one set more complete (295 varieties and 58 of the 60 NC's. The other two NC's are unique and permanently impounded in museum collections.) has ever been assembed and it has not come to market yet.
Here is a bit better pic of the 1864-L proof in Aluminum - great coin in person!
"My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
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coin on the face of the earth.
What would be some good publications to do research on these types of coins? You mentioned Peny Wimsy. I shall assume that this may be out of publication but are there others?
The name is LEE!
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A better book, but considerably more expensive and not as easy to find is United States Large Cents 1793 - 1814 by William Noyes. Noyes has taken the text from Penny Whimsy and added his own pictures. Big three inch sharp pictres of, in many cases, the finest known specimen of each variety. Diagnostic features are pointed out on the plates and die state information is listed plus an extended Condition Census. (Bill is one of the two people who keeps the early date CC. He is also an EXCELLENT photographer and has pictures of the top 15 to 20 coins of each variety.)
A practical third choice is Walter Breens Encyclopedia of Early Large Cents 1793 - 1814. A big thick book that has a LOT more background and historical information, is actually the most up to date book of the three, has big 2.5 inch pictures of good quality (but not as good as Noyes). Disadvantages are that it is TOO big and heavy to carry to shows, and Breen has renumbered the series to match the latest thinking of what the emission sequence actually was. But the hobby still uses Sheldon's numbers from Penny Whimsy so you have to use a conversion chart to know where to look if you want to look up a Sheldon number in Breen. Not a major probem but it is a little annoying. (Breen numbers may prevail eventually. Collectors, like most people are resistant to change but the old guard eventually dies away. Sheldon, although he renumbered the series and his numbers became standard, never learned his own numbers and knew all of his cents by their old Hayes numbers.)
A good "book" for carrying to shows is an auction catalog of either the first Robinson S Brown Sale (Superior 1986), the Jack Robinson sale (Superior 1989), or the second Robinson S Brown Sale (Superior 1996). Each of these contains complete sets of the Sheldon numbered varieties and many of the NC or "Non-Collectible" varieties with every lot plated. And not just plated but with the diagnostics of each die listed as well aking it a pretty good attribution guide as well in its own right. The Jack Robinson sale also includes multiple die state specimens of many varieties and a nearly comple variety set of Half Cents as well. The second Robbie Brown sale is the most complete early date large cent set that has ever been sold. All 295 numbered varieties, and about 45 of the 60 NC varieties. Only one set more complete (295 varieties and 58 of the 60 NC's. The other two NC's are unique and permanently impounded in museum collections.) has ever been assembed and it has not come to market yet.
The name is LEE!