A couple of 1909-S Indian Cents
BillJones
Posts: 34,843 ✭✭✭✭✭
When I was in high school, I thought that Indian cents were the cat's meow. Yes, the cat noise was a tired cliché even then, but in the 1960s Indian cents after Lincoln cents were the most popular collector sets. Then in the early 1970s the bottom dropped out of the market for Indian cents (Yet another cliché
, and the prices plummeted ... Just at the time when I lost interest my Indian cent set and wanted to sell. I took a bath on the set, but my interest continued for certain dates, and so I bought them.
One of my favorites was the 1909-S, mainly because I had wanted one for so long when I was young. I bought this one from JJ Teaparty and kept it for a number of years. Then when I was dealer I had a customer who wanted one so I decided to sell it. I had it certified and was very disappointed when came back as an MS-64, Brown. I thought this piece was an easy MS-65, but the graders failed to spend enough time looking at it after they saw the color. To me this coin was the "perfect" brown piece of copper with no spots and no marks.
As I got older I really wanted another 1909-S Indian, but could not find anything that pleased me. I am not a red copper guy at all. One spot, and you are DEAD.
So finally I spotted this at the Baltimore show. It is not as nice as the one I sold years, ago, but it's still nice. The grade is MS-64, R&B. It's really more "B" than "R," but it is an attractive coin.
, and the prices plummeted ... Just at the time when I lost interest my Indian cent set and wanted to sell. I took a bath on the set, but my interest continued for certain dates, and so I bought them. One of my favorites was the 1909-S, mainly because I had wanted one for so long when I was young. I bought this one from JJ Teaparty and kept it for a number of years. Then when I was dealer I had a customer who wanted one so I decided to sell it. I had it certified and was very disappointed when came back as an MS-64, Brown. I thought this piece was an easy MS-65, but the graders failed to spend enough time looking at it after they saw the color. To me this coin was the "perfect" brown piece of copper with no spots and no marks.
As I got older I really wanted another 1909-S Indian, but could not find anything that pleased me. I am not a red copper guy at all. One spot, and you are DEAD.
So finally I spotted this at the Baltimore show. It is not as nice as the one I sold years, ago, but it's still nice. The grade is MS-64, R&B. It's really more "B" than "R," but it is an attractive coin.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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Comments
The Penny Lady®
<< <i>Great Coins. One secret on the 1909-S is that if the first feather is full, it's fake. >>
I did not know that and appreciate the education, Rick!
Bill - nice coins! Still missing from our collection as I have gotten very picky on what I want for my son and I in something like this. I blame the forum in educating me to be more picky
I also agree on your comment on "red copper". I prefer brown or RB myself...particularly if over 100 years old.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Drunner
Glad you found another.
One day it's political items, then gold dollars, next it's IHC's.
Always with nice stories and fantastic info.
Very nice cent and thanks.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
And thanx EagleEye
Steve
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
That first one is amazing.
The top coin is smooth as silk.
Thanks too for the counterfeit detection tip Rick.
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
<< <i>I am sure the photography has something to do with it, but I like the first one better. >>
The only thing that is different about the first one "in hand" was that it was an even chocolate brown, not tan. The smoothness and lack of marks is a perfect reflection of the coin.