Discussion on the 1810/09 large cent.

Billet7

I recently purchased this 18010/09 large cent. I have been looking for one for quite a while, but they always seem to look like they have been in the ground for a century. It isn't the prettiest gal at the ball, but the price was nice, and in my experience this one is above average for the variety. The reverse seems very nice, problem free (the light spot is hazing on the holder.) The obverse seems a little "scruddy" in my mind, but generally problem free. It looks like it has a mushy strike, on a crappy flan. The surfaces are splotchy, it doesn't really look like corrosion, but discoloration. What do you think? I think it is around a VG10, but could have claims to an F12 with a weak obverse strike. Those of you that know copper, what do you think of this piece. Is it average, less than or more for the variety (S-281)? Do these normally come with a "Mushy" strike. Should I hold on to this one, or should I keep looking? Any info would be appreciated.

DRUNNER

The pix are a bit dark for my tastes, but I like what I see. Tough coin . . . superb series, and I agree with your grade assessment. Quite original from what I can see.

Drunner

Mesquite

Here is mine for comparison. Can't grade it though.

Mercury10c

A good classic head is hard to find, so I think you did ok. It's not the highest grade around,
but no serious problems, and it clearly shows the overdate, which is pretty cool.

jmski52

I think that whether or not you keep looking kinda depends on the condition of the other Cents in your collection. As a VG, it looks pretty good to me, especially since the overdate is clear. There appears to be some black deposit and some milkish film on the coin, but it's not been cleaned, and that's what I'd consider more important. Nothing looks corrosive on it. A nice 12-month soak in mineral oil might help a little as well.

AnkurJ

This was a PCGS VF20


1810:



Ankur

MikeInFL

Here's a PCGS 25 for comparison (which CAC didn't award a sticker):



As for the OP's coin. It appears to me to be a nice example with a relatively smooth planchet. However, the color doesn't appear natural to my eye (too smooth and even colored), and I wonder if the planchet didn't have issues earlier and has subsequently been improved giving the coin a mushy/weakly struck appearance -- not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that as the vast majority of examples are either improved, exhibit planchet issues, or both.

All IMHO & respectfully submitted...Mike

MikeInFL

p.s. the OP's coin looks like a VG details obv and F details rev coin to my eye.

Billet7

<< <i>p.s. the OP's coin looks like a VG details obv and F details rev coin to my eye. >>


Totally agree with you on the grade. Thanks everyone for posting pics for comparisons.