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Is this Large Cent really all that bad?
coin22lover
Posts: 3,456 ✭✭✭
I've recently started to nose into early copper, and am wondering what the more seasoned copper lovers think about this coin? Do the scratches on the face bother you that much? How are the rest of the surfaces? Does it grade a 30 or so?
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It does have nice details, but if you are considering buying it, I'd suggest look for comparable problem free grades and compare the prices.
<< <i>I REALLY like to avoid GENUINE coins, but on a coin like this I would be somewhat forgiving on scratches.
It does have nice details, but if you are considering buying it, I'd suggest look for comparable problem free grades and compare the prices. >>
I did buy it, actually. The surface color and smoothness is what drew me in. Wouldn't a coin without scratches run about $700+ in this grade?
WS
I don't think that scratch is too bad and I'll bet you can find other problem-free ones with worse. Perhaps PCGS measured other factors as well and, on the whole, felt it didn't deserve a straight grade.
VF30? No. I'd call it a 20, best.
Lance.
it sure does have alot of meat on it for a 1798
my stop point wasn't the scratches...it has to do with the date
i could barely make out the date
which to me is a major part of early examples beauty...those precious 4 numbers
some of these early copper's have so much corrosion and porosity
your example doesn't have a "copper termite buffet was had here" look to it
it would take some deep pockets to carry certain standards into the us mint's "birth year era"
it's your coin and others shouldn't sway you one way or another
i wouldn't call my coin..."not really all that bad"
more so "here's a coin i bought because i just like it"
it's a sweet survivor of a 1798 coin in an overall kinda way
enjoy and thanks for sharing it
i chuckle with the "J.WILLIS" as to had it only been a "D.WILLIS"
I knew it would happen.
While EAC grading is tougher that slab grading in most cases, the exception is with problem coins. Early copper collectors like nice coins, but they recognize that copper is the most reactive of the three classic coinage medals, gold, silver and copper. As such it was far more prone to acquiring damage from the elements. Therefore early copper collectors are more forgiving about the usual problems that one encounters with early copper.
Buying these coins in high end "straight grades" is an expensive undertaking. Believe I know from experience. Therefore a piece like this with some issues often are the only option for collectors who don't have thousands to spend on coins from this era.
It's a common variety of a common date, so there's not much need to compromise, as you will have to
with the tougher dates and varieties. (If it was a 1796 draped bust, for example). And unless you have very deep
pockets, compromise is a major part of the game with large cents.
From my 25 years or so of dabbling in large cents, I've learned that lower grade, problem free examples are generally
preferred over meatier coins that have problems. But to each his own, and I have 'genny' coins in my own collection,
(wreath cent, 1804, 1823 N-2 etc) purchased after very careful consideration and studying numerous examples, comparing
prices, etc., and generally choosing examples that most folks would consider to be 'problem free' for the date and coin.
Best of luck with your endeavor!
<< <i>It's a common variety of a common date, >>
The way things are these days, it's hard to describe any U.S. coin dated prior to 1800 as "common."
I had a nice VF grade 1798 large cent years ago that I sold to another dealer for $600 who had a want list to fill. In a sense I regret selling the coin because it would cost me a lot more now to replace it.