Do coins from the 1700's carry a premium?

RYK

Do US Federal coins struck in the 1700's sell for a premium over their early 1800's counterparts?

I have always thought so, but backing it up with fact is somewhat challenging. What do you think?

tjkillian

They do have a special allure, for sure. Check out the prices for low-end large cents from the early 1800s as compared from the 18th century. I'm sure you would get data to support that 18th century dated coins have a premium.

Placid

According to the pcgs price guide no.

greghansen

To some folks maybe but most people who can afford those coins are aware of the relative scarcity of various dates and not wrapped up in the first two digits of the date. An obvious example is the 1799 Bust Dollar which is perhaps the most easily obtained early dollar from the 1795-1803 date series. 1799 seems to be the easiest type date for that series and actually sells at a discount to some of the tougher 1800-1803 dates. Anybody looking for a type coin in the draped bust dollar series will quickly find that the 1799 offers the most opportunities across a wide spectrum of grading ranges.

MidLifeCrisis

Maybe not...but I think coins from the 1700s have a coolness factor that you can't get with coins from the 1800s.

slipgate

Obsolutely they do! Especially the lower grade stuff!

shorecoll

I agree with Slipgate. Low-end 17xx type coins have had a premium for many years.

garsmith

depends on the coin and the coin condition

fivecents

I know with large eagle bust dollars the 1799 is considered the common date. You gotta love a series where the 1799 date is more common and cheaper than it's 1800 dated counterparts.

PerryHall

I always thought there was something magical about a US coin with a date starting with 17. Heck, it may have been carried and spent by George Washington!

291fifth

While I have no statistical data to back it up, my guess is YES!

I know that I would prefer a type coin dated before 1800 to one dated 1800 or later.

CaptHenway

The 1799 dollar is common enough that it carries little, if any, premium over an 1800.
However, with the 1799 and 1801 $10's being of similar rarity, the 1799 will always sell better because of the 17-- date.
MOO
TD

GoldenEyeNumismatics

There's a special prestige in having a US coin from the 1700's...

I certainly think there's a premium.

Longacre

<< <i>Maybe not...but I think coins from the 1700s have a coolness factor that you can't get with coins from the 1800s. >>





I agree.

RYK

I am too busy at work now, but I plan to do a detail analysis ASAP, maybe later tonight.

The short answer is: "It depends"

thisnamztaken

I dunno, but just to help us visualize the subject at hand, here's one of mine with the aforementioned low grade aura about it.

itsnotjustme

I like the 179X dates... to me all other factors equal, at least 10% better!

KentuckyJ

Would you rather have a $ minted when George Washington was President or a $ from the Thomas Jefferson years?
Both are nice but isn't the cache of the Washington a bit more alluring?

Really, it always depends on the merits and eye appeal of the individual coin. I would not take a Washington dog over a Jeffersonian beauty.

SeattleSlammer

179X
sweet!!!!

180X
not bad!

Baley

and now that the decade has rolled, 181X are approaching or passing 200 years old...

earlyAurum

I don't have data to back it up but it does seem to be so. Certainly the fact that first year issues are highly sought after and the first years of federal coinage began in the 1700's would make me think that they experience greater interest. It just cool to have a coin with a 17 handle. I look forward to your analysis.

lkenefic

I think some collectors might be willing to pay a premium for Fr-AG-G material simply because it's struck in the 18th C... Type collectors, probably not so much if we're looking for better representatives of the issue.

johnny9434

i like some of the stuff from the 1700's and glad there isint to much of a premium on them from what ive seen. jmo