What should pay for a 1857 Large Cent?

Geoman

I am looking to buy an 1857 Large Cent in either F or VF this weekend at the Northwest Coin Show in Minnesota. I don't want any corrision, just a nice circulated, chocolate brown example. I have looked at eBay closing prices, and other sources. But want other opinions also. Should I expect to pay $150, the average price? Or do coin shows generally have higher prices? If you were to sell one, what would you ask for one? Thanks in advance.

I feel this is a good value, as the mintage is approximately 330,000 coins. Same as the 1916-D Merc. I have seen other coins in the same mintage, go for a lot more. Your thoughts?

OKbustchaser

I suspect that you will pay a lot closer to 250 than 150 for a nice unmessed with Fine to VF. Most of what I see on E-bay aren't--and the prices they realize show it. I think they are still a value even at the higher price.

Jim

MacCrimmon

Offer $500 on this one.

rhedden

I think a F-VF coin can be had for more like $100. I can't believe that you'd have to pay $250 for one. I just bought an original AU-50 for $210 last spring.

The 1857 is not that rare, but it is popular with collectors. If you really want a challenge, try getting an 1840 Small 18 / large 18 or an 1847 / small 7.

OKbustchaser

<< <i>I think a F-VF coin can be had for more like $100. I can't believe that you'd have to pay $250 for one. I just bought an original AU-50 for $210 last spring. >>



The problem is that what most people call VF (INCLUDING the major TPC's) barely grades VG.

Jim

Gonfunko

The 1857 is one of those coins that the price guides are useless on. It's a pretty rare coin, and finding a nice, evenly worn, undamaged example is nearly impossible. If you should find one, though, expect to pay well over what the guides state.

Conder101

It would probably be a lot easier to find an nice XF-AU than a F. Like the 31-S Lincoln few of these actually circulated very much.

nederveit

Anyone else going to this show?!?

Steve27

"I feel this is a good value, as the mintage is approximately 330,000 coins. Same as the 1916-D Merc. I have seen other coins in the same mintage, go for a lot more. Your thoughts?"

This is a very poor comparison, if mintage was the driver then the 1914-P Barber half (mintage 124,610) would be worth 2x the 1916-D Mercury dime (mintage 264,000), but neither mintage nor surviving population are the biggest drivers for price. It's supply and demand, Mercs are a much more popular series than Barber halfs or Large cents, and that's why the 16-D is so expensive.

As for eBay vice coin show pricing, it all depends on the coin and the seller, but generally the coin show price will be higher.