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Virginia Colonial
ajaan
Posts: 18,024 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have the opportunity to purchase this coin. I like it.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
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<< <i>I assume you have done your homework and understand why that coin exists as it does. >>
Enlighten us.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
<< <i>
<< <i>I assume you have done your homework and understand why that coin exists as it does. >>
Enlighten us. >>
There was a major hoard similar to the Randall hoard of large cents.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I just was wondering if there was specific information regarding this particular coin, is all.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
<< <i>You should be very picky when selecting one of these - there are plenty of examples to be had. >>
I strongly suggest you heed this advice.
<< <i>You should be very picky when selecting one of these - there are plenty of examples to be had. >>
John, one day you have to teach me how to be so subtle. Ajaan, the example you posted is an impaired coin, and I would put a full retail value of $250 on it. As John and others have hinted, there are reasonably priced, problem-free examples to be had. Years ago we used to see full Red and Red Brown examples at every show, and they were cheap. The prices have steadily increased, since it is a neat issue. I do not know your budget for such a coin, but my advice is to take your time, do your research, and find just the right piece for your collection.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
Here is the piece in my collection.
<< <i>Please point me to site or dealer who'll sell me the coin for $250. Much appreciated. >>
The best you can get for $250 would be one in F-VF. I paid $600 for the one I have, which now in a PCGS MS-63, R&B holder, more than 20 years ago. Today I'd say it's worth around $1,500 - $1,600.
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>No one has fully understood these coins including Crosby who placed them under Anglo American tokens. No less an Authority than Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1782 "in Virginia coppers have never been in use" (Jeffersons Works vol1 page 136). >>
I hate to contridict Thomas Jefferson, but perhaps his comments were (at the very least) premature.
Quite a number of VA halfpennies have been found in the ground (with evidence of extensive circulation) in the Eastern US over the years. It is possible that the issue was in storage for a while and released to circulation at a date later than 1782.
That said, since the issue is so plentiful and affordable (by colonial coin standards) in the nice-AU-to-nice-mint-state range due to that long-ago hoard of mint state pieces that was dispersed, I would agree that an AU details piece with post-minting impairments might not be the best value. It would be a tough sell if/when you decide to do so, since there are plenty of unimpaired examples around for collectors to choose from instead.
<< <i>since there are plenty of unimpaired examples around for collectors to choose from instead. >>
where? I've looked at dealers' website and can't find any nice ones that aren't very expensive. I was told the coin I posted was minted from rusted dies and isn't post mint damage.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
From what I've read the hoard that makes up the fairly large number of Mint State coins that known of this issue cropped up in the 1870s. Since then it has obviously been dispersed, but enough of these coins are around to keep the low compared to the prices for many other coins that were minted and circulated during the late 1700s.
<< <i>
<< <i>since there are plenty of unimpaired examples around for collectors to choose from instead. >>
where? I've looked at dealers' website and can't find any nice ones that aren't very expensive. I was told the coin I posted was minted from rusted dies and isn't post mint damage. >>
I certainly don't want to be in the business of criticizing another dealer's wares. And that coin was struck from rusted dies -- the seller is correct.
So as not to promote one dealer over another, I will PM you with some suggested sources for VA halfpennies.
The seller is not correct.
All of that greenish-black crud between the letters on the reverse and the obverse is post mint corrosion. This is not from a rusty die. Some of the crud has been removed and a bit of the color you see on this piece might be restorative AT. This is a problem coin, and you can find these pieces without such difficulties.
Some of the raised areas on the surface could be from a rusty die, but I've seen corrosion result in raised areas like that as well. Even if the rust die assertion is correct the other problems that are visible make that assertion of little consequence.
a moot point.
- The color is wrong. This is the problem that jumps out immediately to me. It has the dark toning often associated with early copper that has been messed with.
- It has a shiny, "wet" look often associated with coins that have been excessively oiled or lacquered.
- I'm not sure what the dark green splotches in the letters on both the obverse and reverse are, but I know I don't like them. They are a red flag that something is wrong with the surface of the coin. Corrosion, verdigris, something else...I don't know.
Here is a VA Halfpenny that used to be in my collection. It's Ex Stack's January, 2005 sale of the John J. Ford collection, lot #114. Earlier F.C.C. Boyd. Possibly the Newman plate reverse for this variety. PCGS MS63 RB.
The pictures aren't great, but it should give you an idea of what I look for in these. Compare this one and Bill Jones' coin (which I also think is very nice) to the one posted in the OP.
RealOne: <<I know nothing about this type but that being said I happen to enjoy looking at it and wouldn't mind owning such an example ...>>
I liked looking at some of the ones that I saw last week. These will be auctioned this week.
CRO: <<You should be very picky when selecting one of these - there are plenty of examples to be had.>>
Though this statement is true, some neat pieces will be auctioned this week. Those seeking truly rare colonials and other pre-federal items may wish to consider some of the other pieces in the auction. I have always been intrigued by pre-federal silver coins, especially Lord Baltimore and Chalmers issues, which are exceptionally well represented in the Ted Craige Collection.
Major Collection of Colonials To Be Auctioned