A variety collection of 1820 Large Cents-- is anyone working on this?

Longacre

I read in the latest issue of Coin World about the benefits of completing a variety set of 1820 Large Cents. I read that (except for one), none of the varieties are excessively rare, thus making this a collection for The Masses.

Is anyone in the process of completing this set? If so, what are the challenges? Is the set as simple as making a few passes through the bourse to complete it, or does it take patience to put together a well-matched set? If Longacre outsourced the completion of a set such as this to his assistant, would she have trouble with it, or is it a pretty simple set to follow?

notwilight

Most of the 1820s you see are in this variety, N-13 from the Randall Hoarde. Other varieties generally sell at a slight premium in MS (or the N-13 sells at a discount). In a lower grade the others shouldn't be too hard but a couple, especailly the N14, look to be not easy. Finding 14 eye appealing large cents that fit together as a set is never easy and you won't do it at one show. But if you concentrate, let dealers know what you're looking for, are willing to pay full retail, and aren't too picky, you should be able to do it in a reasonable time. It isn't something I would expect a lot of people to be jumping on. Depending on what grade you are talking some thousands of dollars for eye appealing examples.

mojorizn

I read that article too. It looks to be an interesting set. Any idea what the set would run in high circ., say EF-AU?

Mojo

joecopper

Mojo

VF20 5,400 ( n14 3.5 k)
VF30 12,000 ( 7k)
XF40 20,000 ( 10k)
AU50 35,000 ( 12.5k)

These are EAC grades with CQR values average pieces, choice would be 20-30% more minimum

mojorizn

Thanks! Something to consider.

Mojo

Walkerguy21D

Nope, still working on my variety collection of 1839 large cents, as the N-1 is elusive in decent condition. But the major varieties of that date are much more distinguishable to my old eyes, like this Booby Head....

Baley

If Longacre outsourced the completion of a set such as this to his assistant, would she have trouble with it, or is it a pretty simple set to follow?

I dunno. Does the assistant have the book to attribute the varieties, or is she going to have to rely on finding them already attributed? How many varieties are there, anyway?

Elcontador

Mike, the N-13 is THE type coin of the series. It generally comes very well struck, and is not expensive (compared to others of the same grade in this series).