Half cents and price guides

Bochiman

So, are the price guides (PCGS/Greysheet) high/low/accurate when it comes to half cents?

abitofthisabitofthat

I think that is too broad of an area for a single answer. Early or late? Circ or MS?

Generally, I would say the sheet is quite low for Liberty Cap half cents. Problem free examples, when found, are usually much higher. But, this is mostly true with all of the early denominations. Fot the later dates, in circ grades, the sheets tend to be fairly good. But again, problem free coins bring a premium. Getting many of these coins into PCGS holders is difficult, and PCGS graded coins bring a very strong premium over the sheet.

I will not offer an opinion on MS coins half cents, as this is something that I do not handle regularly.

jmski52

Bochi, do you have a copy of Copper Quotes by Robinson?

BillJones

The Gray Sheet is totally useless when it comes to pricing early copper coinage. It’s closer to the truth for later dates, but as you go back in years it becomes more and more out of touch until it becomes useless for most half cents and cents (Randal Hoard stuff is the only exception) dated before 1820. To clarify, the Gray Sheet price are FAR too low.

I tend to look at Coin Prices magazine and discount the prices a little in back of that.

As for Copper Quotes by Robinson, it is okay for the common dates and varieties, but when it comes to the rarities his numbers can best be called theoretical. Most of those coins are held by wealthy collectors who have no intention of selling until they reach the end of their collecting days. Then their coins are offered at major “name” auctions where the prices are often very strong.

I remember years ago the late Roger Cohen told me a story about a half cent that he wanted that was owned by another major collector. He wrote out a check for the amount listed in Copper Quotes (CQR) and mailed it to the collector. The response from the collector was that the check was sort of an insult.

Bochiman

<< <i>Bochi, do you have a copy of Copper Quotes by Robinson? >>



No, never heard of it.

To answer the other question above, primarily looking across the range of 1/2 cents and in the circ levels.
I'm also looking at "common" or more well known rather than the rarities.

I just see some things out there for $400 when the guides states $200ish and was wondering. I know planchet, porosity, etc, play a roll for early copper but trying to learn how much and everything.

BillJones

<< <i>I know planchet, porosity, etc, play a roll for early copper but trying to learn how much and everything. >>



Porosity is a HUGE negative for half cents and large cents. It knocks the price down by 50% or more. If you are only looking for the more common dates and varieties, guides like Coin Prices will be of help to you. Generally you should be able to buy the coins you like at 20 to 30 percent discount at the shows. Of course if you are looking for high grade, red coins, get ready for sticker shock.

abitofthisabitofthat

<< <i>

<< <i>I know planchet, porosity, etc, play a roll for early copper but trying to learn how much and everything. >>



Porosity is a HUGE negative for half cents and large cents. It knocks the price down by 50% or more. If you are only looking for the more common dates and varieties, guides like Coin Prices will be of help to you. Generally you should be able to buy the coins you like at 20 to 30 percent discount at the shows. Of course if you are looking for high grade, red coins, get ready for sticker shock. >>



Definitely agree an planchet quality - one reason that PCGS coins bring strong premiums is that they screen out (most) of the coins with serious porosity. For those issues that are prone to planchet issues and porosity problems (the 1811 half cent is a great example), if you find a really nice coin - no porosity and not too dark - expect to pay a huge premium for it.

Bochiman

Thanks.
Looking for primarily PCGS on these. AU for the later dates and moving down the chart as they get earlier.
I don't want us to get porous examples

Just didn't want to go too blindly into some of the issues that I haven't seen publicly trade much and did notice that Coin Prices was closer to what I had seen sold than other guides.
Should be interesting as I get further with this

rld14

<< <i>Thanks.
Looking for primarily PCGS on these. AU for the later dates and moving down the chart as they get earlier.
I don't want us to get porous examples

Just didn't want to go too blindly into some of the issues that I haven't seen publicly trade much and did notice that Coin Prices was closer to what I had seen sold than other guides.
Should be interesting as I get further with this >>



I think it's really the fact that most any classic US coinage in, say, VF and up trades at a big premium to sheet. Look at Seated stuff, most Barbers, Bust, etc... So the fact that early coppers bring way over sheet in nice shape is no surprise.

Billet7

PCGS price guide does fairly well in my experience for earlier stuff, as long as it isn't too rare (like a 1796 or an 1802.) They tend to sell a bit above the price guide for average pieces in average grades. If you are looking at premium pieces...you will pay for them! In my experience the 1800 and 1803 in PCGS holders always bring a premium. 1794 tends to garner a premium as well.

In my experience the early half cents (and early copper in general) has more to do with the actual coin, than the holder...more so than any other series. I think this is because early copper guys are going to crack it out anyway!