Do 1826 C-2 Half Cents commonly come either cleaned or damaged? Does anyone know why?

Longacre

I was taking a look at the website of a very prominent early copper dealer (who I respect). In the half cents section, he makes the following comment about two different 1826 C-2 coins:

“This variety is notorious for having been cleaned or damaged. This piece is an exception.”

“It is a treat to see a C#2 that hasn't been damaged or cleaned.”


Does anyone know why these cents are commonly seen either cleaned or damaged?

MikeInFL

I can't address your question directly, but I have seen the same thing for the large cents of this year. Frankly, the same can be said for most of the large cents from the 1820's as well.

marmac

I've seen this opinion noted in a few offerings of the C-2 variety as well and agree.

Not sure why it's the case but I have come to the same conclusion. At least when it comes to what surfaces for sale. The variety surfaces less frequently in higher grade than the c-1 and when they do surface in xf or above they tend to have been cleaned, or otherwise have experienced some unfortunate fate.

I managed to purchase a nice AU from Doug Bird a few years back that appears to of beat the odds.

Unmolested coins do surface from time to time, but hang time on the market seems to be less and less these days as folks get more familiar with half cents and some of the easy to identify varieites. That said, you can still cherry pick a nice one once in a while if you keep your eyes peeled.