An opportunity at an original 1795 dollar

tmot99 · December 23, 2004 6:59AM

Ok. I have an opportunity to buy an 1795 dollar. It is NGC graded VF25. Given that it is 100% totally original (which I haven't seen a lot of), I will have to pay pretty strong money. The question, how strong of money is a totally original 1795 dollar worth? Also, how hard will it be to find another one should I pass on this one? For information sake, B-5 which is R-1.

TomB · December 23, 2004 7:11AM

From your description of the coin I assumed it was a B5, R1 as this is the coin you will most likely encounter. If the coin is really original than I would pay quite a bit more than one might expect. How strong that has to be is up to you, however, I can tell you that if you pass on this coin you probably won't see all that many more come around, and those that do come around will also be most likely aggressive in their pricing. The attachments on this post are an example of an extraordinarily original 1795 B5, R1 in an NGC VF20 holder. No, the coin is not for sale.

tmot99 · December 23, 2004 7:28AM

Tom, the one I am looking at is very similar to yours. There is no question on its originality.

JrGMan2004 · December 23, 2004 7:40AM

Go for it!

longtimecollector · December 23, 2004 7:56AM

1907Quarter · December 23, 2004 9:32AM

tough to see from a pic, but from an originality point of view, why are there halos around some of the stars?

morgannut2 · December 23, 2004 9:47AM

The circular toning pattern around some rim details suggests to me that it was dipped a long while back. Also see some off-color tone on the devices suggesting second gen. retoning. It is a very nice coin though. In the million dollar antique market they call these surfaces "a very old 19th century refinish" and it never hurts the price. I'd guess a $4,500-$5,500 coin these days, and more at a FUN auction perhaps! Part of the higher price is that of the 4 or 5 totally original early VF or lower $1 pieces I've seen this year, all present as very darkly and uniformly toned so it's hard to appreciate the coin's nice detail.

WACoinGuy · December 23, 2004 10:24AM

If you don't end up buying it, let me know -- I've been looking for an original 1795 in this grade range...

TomB · December 23, 2004 11:31AM

Those of you who have commented on the images that I posted are commenting on a completely original coin that has not been previously dipped, cleaned or retoned. The coin is a VF20 and what the scanned images are showing is the normal accumulation of dirt and oxidation on 209 years of unmolested surfaces.

JRocco · December 23, 2004 11:37AM

That is a great coin Tom.

roadrunner · December 23, 2004 11:43AM

This was a convenient thread. A 1795 dollar fresh back from PCGS as an AU55 showed up in my neck of the woods. Saw the coin yesterday. While I cannot say it is 100% original it appears very pleasing with about 15-20% luster hidden among the devices and details. It's a mottled silver with darker grey sprinkled throughout. Common B-1 or BB21 2 leaves variety. These things have doubled from $10K to about $20K now. Last one Heritage had in AU55 sold for $20,700 this past month. No doubt a nice coin but not killer.

roadrunner

BigMoose · December 23, 2004 11:47AM

I had the privilege of seeing TomB's 1795 NGC VF20 coin in person at the Baltimore Show in December. The coin is absolutely completely original and has never been messed with in any way. Suffice it to say that I have been pestering TomB to sell it to me or at least give me first shot ever since I saw the coin.

tmot99 · December 23, 2004 11:48AM

After doing a little more research, I will be buying the 1795 dollar. The price is in line with other sales that I can research. I will have to sell off some stuff to get it.

An opportunity at an original 1795 dollar

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