Is there a tougher series to collect than the Classic Head Large Cent?

GFourDriver

When I was putting together my 7070 set, this was the last hole that I had to fill and when I did find one is was only an F-12. I like the coin but I will eventually upgrade it.

The series was only minted for 7 years and the metal used lends itself to porosity. There are series like the FEC that were minted for far fewer years but they are available in a wide span of grades and not overly expensive. With that in mind, do you think there is a tougher series to collect?

Here is my 1814 CHLC. Post a pic if you have one.

lathmach

If collecting a tough series is what you want to do, try the Seated Liberty Quarters.
I've been hammering away at them for over 20 years and still don't have a complete set.

Ray

MikeInFL

I think the Seated Dollars are almost as hard -- if you require an uncleaned example.

That said, I agree that the Classic Heads are the toughest of the 7070 types. If you take away the 1814 date, they would be very much harder.

Here's my low-grade specimen from the 7070:



Here's a higher-grade specimen (PCGS VF 25) in my type set:



One day I hope to have an example of each date, but that is going to have to be a LONG TERM project.....Mike

partagas

I would certainly agree with Ray about the quarters. Not only does one need a over 100 coins, most dates have miniscule mintages and are extremely hard to find even if you have the cash and want to pay up.

coindeuce

Assembling a complete set of Capped Bust Left or Capped Head Left half eagles in like condition would be a super feat.

Walkerguy21D

Though I definitely agree it is very tough to find a nice example for a type set, I think you need to quantify this if you are talking about collecting it as a series. In what grade or condition? What varieties? I know that when forum guy AnkurJ launched his large cent collection, he had the classic head dates done fairly quickly, and all in decent acceptable condition - and yet there are other dates (major varieties) in the LC series he is still seeking over a year later. I could have easily done a date set of classic heads at the Summer FUN show, in decent grades, with the few copper dealers that were there. No way could this have been done with seated dollars, or any other seated series.

MidLifeCrisis

Is there a tougher series to collect than the Classic Head Large Cent?

Yes. Pick any colonial series!

GFourDriver

<<<Though I definitely agree it is very tough to find a nice example for a type set, I think you need to quantify this if you are talking about collecting it as a series. In what grade or condition? What varieties? I know that when forum guy AnkurJ launched his large cent collection, he had the classic head dates done fairly quickly, and all in decent acceptable condition - and yet there are other dates (major varieties) in the LC series he is still seeking over a year later. I could have easily done a date set of classic heads at the Summer FUN show, in decent grades, with the few copper dealers that were there. No way could this have been done with seated dollars, or any other seated series. >>>

This is what I love about this forum, I'm always learning new stuff.

1798CentCollector

1814 S-294

ambro51

One thing nice about a series like that is that you are not slab-bound.

dorkkarl

<< <i>Is there a tougher series to collect than the Classic Head Large Cent? >>

several actually but the classic heads are up there

K S

291fifth

They are popular but not particularly rare. It's mostly a matter of money.

SeaEagleCoins

problem-free, original vf/xf/au Barber Quarters and Halves... hard (read: next to impossible on some dates) to find and the price guides are all totally irrelevant...

Treeman

<< <i>They are popular but not particularly rare. It's mostly a matter of money. >>



I tend to disagree. Nice planchet Classic cents are a lot rarer than like examples of most series. Yes, there are rarer individual dates, die varieties, ect, but on the whole, I find it very difficult to find "nice" examples of the Classic cents in ANY grade.

MikeInFL

<< <i>

<< <i>They are popular but not particularly rare. It's mostly a matter of money. >>



I tend to disagree. Nice planchet Classic cents are a lot rarer than like examples of most series. Yes, there are rarer individual dates, die varieties, ect, but on the whole, I find it very difficult to find "nice" examples of the Classic cents in ANY grade. >>



Problem free, eye-appealing classic head large cents are rare coins, IMO.

BillJones

There are a number of series that much harder than the Classic Head large cents.

- Early half dimes (1792 - 1805)

- Early Quarter Eagles (1796 - 1834)

- Early Half Eagles (1795 - 1834)

One of the main factors that makes the Classic Head cents hard to collect is the large collector base in EAC that has token so many coins off the market.

DennisH

$4 Stellas wouldn't be easy.

illini420

Here's the only one I've owned, I liked it though. NGC AU55

Barndog

1798CentCollector, that is a fabulous large cent!