So I got this really nice 1809 cent...
renomedphys
Posts: 3,599 ✭✭✭✭✭
And just want to share it with anybody who, like me, finds that a bit peculiar.
First off, I'm a cent collector. Other denominations just don't do it for me. And several times I have been a type collector. My first experience with Classic Head Cents was borne out of a hole in my 7070 album, like lots of you I'm sure. Now, back in the day, any old Classic Cent date would do, but tastes change, and time does funny things, and well, I started trying to build out that set with dates that seemed significant. Naturally, I took notice of the 1809 cent, because hey, I am at the core, a Lincoln Cent guy. (why is this relevant?)
Anyway, this date presents with a lot of challenges. I mean, Classic Cents in general are kinda like the forgotten stepchildren of the Mint. I'm guessing that production quality in cents wasn't really high on the priority list. I think there was a lot of bad copper stock going into the planchets, so generally even better grade coins just look crummy. I'm not an expert per se, and I'm sure some of you could expand on this better than I can.
For most dates, however, nice pieces can be found. For 1809... good luck! Special mention of this is even made in some Redbook editions, as having much weaker obverses than reverses. For whatever reason, they just mostly look like deteriorating copper does after time in the ground.
So I'm sure you can imagine I was happy when I saw this one. It looks to me, in hand, much the same as a nice AU 1974 cent would. I mean, the die alignment wasn't great, but the planchet and the surfaces are excellent. Lots of luster in the crevices, and some nice gunmetal blue behind the head... an old fingerprint that's in the metal, which actually makes it "charming". There is some PVC residue in the lettering, especially on the reverse, which just tells me that it hasn't been messed with.
And it's in an Old Green Holder.
And even more importantly, it actually looks like a coin.
GTG?
Comments
That's extremely nice.
The main reason the early copper holes arent filled in my type set, most look like they lost a knife fight.
Just guessing,,,MS-63, 64
Die state Ummm V.
Nice coin with a decent planchet
S-280
R.I.P. Bear
I don't know about the Die State exactly, but I can observe that it has almost no trace of die deterioration behind the head, coming off the 13th star. I should really study this stuff.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
That is very nice for an 1809. I am guessing PCGS called it AU58. It does have some rub and a few patches of porosity. Best of luck finding one this nice. The best 1809 I have ever seen is the Naftzger-Tom Reynolds coin, PCGS 64BN which sold at the Goldberg's Sale in Jan., 2016. It brought $129,250.00!! There has never been one certified in PCGS RB.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
Not much early copper grading experience for me, so I'll hazard an au58 guess.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
AU55 and a really nice example.
That's beaut !
I'm going with a 61.......
Beautiful example... I am thinking 58 from the images. The reverse looks MS in the image so maybe I am looking too harshly at the obverse. It is an amazing planchet
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
"Naturally, I took notice of the 1809 cent, because hey, I am at the core, a Lincoln Cent guy. (why is this relevant?)"
Because Lincoln was born in 1809? LOL.
What a great example! Only one die marriage for that year, the S-280, also known as the "Blowsy Barmaid". Beats the crap out of my old ANACS photo cert (V8/F12).
Congratulations on a great pick-up. AU55?
Lance.
The obverse has a sharper strike, more detail on the stars than the AU58 that I bought from Tom, and less die erosion. The reverse is comparable but without any red. I'm guessing MS62+
I knew it would happen.
Dentil issue above LIBERTY and weak UNITED net grades to AU58+?
Copper has never done it for me, but that is a beauty. I'm thinking a high AU grade.
The U.S. could not import the copper planchet material from England between 1812 and 1814, so many coins of this series were not struck up well. You need to be familiar with the die marriage of these coins to be able to grade them properly.
After having an expensive pre-1815 copper develop PVC on me in holder, I will not buy one unless it's in a PCGS OGH or 1st generation holder, as this tells me that the coin is stable.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Nice coin.
Spectacular for a classic head, especially so for an ‘09.
Well done!
Attractive! Enjoy! from pics , au55?
What they said. Tough coin and I like the blue too.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.
You don't see these everyday, in the that holder I would say 58, and a solid example no matter what gen holder it's in. Wow.
eBay ID-bruceshort978
Successful BST:here and ATS, bumanchu, wdrob, hashtag, KeeNoooo, mikej61, Yonico, Meltdown, BAJJERFAN, Excaliber, lordmarcovan, cucamongacoin, robkool, bradyc, tonedcointrader, mumu, Windycity, astrotrain, tizofthe, overdate, rwyarmch, mkman123, Timbuk3,GBurger717, airplanenut, coinkid855 ,illini420, michaeldixon, Weiss, Morpheus, Deepcoin, Collectorcoins, AUandAG, D.Schwager.
Maybe with today's reconsideration 'shagnasty. I'm pretty sure there are no 58+'s in OGH's.
I like it as a 58 but I think PCGS graded it 55 years ago.
Lance.
Exceedingly hard coin to find that nice.
I want to say 62 but 58 OGH wouldn’t surprise me.
AU63
Wow, that's a super sweet Classic Head cent!
Very nice
Pretty coin
Congrats
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
MS55.
Kind regards,
George
I would say 55-58..... Very nice cent... it has - how can I say it - a bit of 'vibrancy' to it... at least in the pictures.... That is a cent that would get my attention.... Cheers, RickO
Very nice coin. Looks 62 to me.
My YouTube Channel
Very nice indeed, PSGS on a good day 58
Bob
Lordmarcovan, WTCG, YogiBerraFan, Phoenin21, LindeDad, Coll3ctor, blue594, robkoll, Mike Dixon, BloodMan, Flakthat and others.
PCGS 58, Noyes grade VF- Scudzy (EAC inside joke there)...Love it.
I have a decent fine and one that looks like she was shot in the face with an upland game shotgun shell.
I missed the OGH part and feel it could be in AU53 holder?
The obverse on this cent design reminds me of when every woman in the 1980's cut their hair and wore headbands right after Olivia Newton John's "Physical" video aired
My guess is 55 if in OGH. Pics may not show luster well. I don't see the dentil reference earlier being a big issue with the graders for a coin of this vintage.
Great coin!!!
I would guess AU55. I like this coin a lot. Any Classic Head cent is difficult and expensive to find nice and this coin is very very nice.
Pretty!
53
55?
I am mesmorized by how delightful this coin looks. Can't even fathom a guess on grade.
peacockcoins
Well, finding a nice Classic head type coin is a chore as you say. I’m thinking AU55, but it’s a really nice one.
So, all you guys that said AU55, you were right. The OGH is what I call the “short letters” type, one of the later varieties.
I personally feel that the coin is properly graded. That said, a current 60-63 grade would not surprise me. This is the old numismatist talking. The one that actually prefers unusually awesome AUs over ugly MS every day of the week. The one that searches for unusual, standout coins in terms of quality, and not a grade set in plastic. The one we probably all wish we could go back to being, back when collecting was more generally “fun”.
Thanks for all your great comments.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
A very nice classic head. Well done on that piece!
I saw it listed on CoinFacts in the AU55 OGH from a long ago auction, so I didn't give an opinion in my first post, and was hoping it was still in that holder, rather being resubmitted.
I agree, it would likely warrant a higher grade today.
Wow, that is a very nice 1809 cent! Congratulations!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
I do believe numismatists will now and always view and understand the Classic Large Cents are some of the most challenging pieces to ever get in decent shape, let alone higher grade.
I sold two VF20 PCGS examples to a notable CA dealer a few years ago for about 30% above PCGS values and I am sure he turned them within 30 minutes.
I look at every show for Doilies first . . . and Classic Large Cents second . . . . .
A beautiful coin . . . . . .
Drunner
Tough coin!
I actually sold an 1814 to a fellow member that I thought was nice but it pales compared to your coin.