Half cents: the ultimate bargain?
ziggy29
Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
I never really thought about this until I bought an 1856 half cent for my type set two nights ago.
Mintage -- 40,430.
There were more than 10 1909-S VDB cents minted for every one of these.
There were more than 20 1877 cents minted for every one of these.
There were more 1916 SLQs minted than this.
There were almost twice as many 1901-S quarters minted than this.
There were 2 1/2 times as many 1893-S dollars minted than this.
There were more 1885-S dimes minted than this, and essentially the same amount of 1860-O dimes.
And yet, with the juice and shipping, this cost me only $182 as an NGC AU-58.
Even the 1872 two-center -- long one of the most underrated -- is 5-6 times pricier than this with more than 1 1/2 times the mintage.
Is this possibly the biggest bargain in light-side numismatics?
Mintage -- 40,430.
There were more than 10 1909-S VDB cents minted for every one of these.
There were more than 20 1877 cents minted for every one of these.
There were more 1916 SLQs minted than this.
There were almost twice as many 1901-S quarters minted than this.
There were 2 1/2 times as many 1893-S dollars minted than this.
There were more 1885-S dimes minted than this, and essentially the same amount of 1860-O dimes.
And yet, with the juice and shipping, this cost me only $182 as an NGC AU-58.
Even the 1872 two-center -- long one of the most underrated -- is 5-6 times pricier than this with more than 1 1/2 times the mintage.
Is this possibly the biggest bargain in light-side numismatics?
0
Comments
Here are two of mine:
1850 Mintage: 39,812 PCGS total pop: 123 -- NCG total pop: 113
1857 Mintage: 35,180 PCGS total pop: 353 -- NCG total pop: 386
do you want the ultimate half cent??
get yourself a classic head gem proof half cent rb with an original thick colored skin to it that has been carefully and lovingly bruched for many decades and still has its original mirrors
and did you know that most all classic head half cents are cameo on the obverse
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i KNOW so
Cheers,
Bob
While I agree that half cents are relatively undervalued, and probably always will be so, remember that many of those who collect these collect their coins raw. More than in many other series, the PCGS and NGC pop reports significantly understate the surviving populations. Enjoy the coins for what they are: very old, historic, and interesting!
1. Most of the coins you see in TPG holders are overgraded.
2. For whatever reasons most collectors don't take much of an interest in these coins.
As a dealers I've not found them easy to buy or sell.
As a collector, I purchased the one that I have in my type set, and 1853 (which is the most common date) in 1965 for $16.00. It was graded VF at the time. I had the piece slabbed a couple years ago, and it came back NGC MS-62, Brown.
The VF was WAY low for the piece, but my grade was AU-55.
The half cents (and other early series like 3 centers etc.) are type coins.... and viewed accordingly by the majority of the collectors. Perhaps only one is needed by them. Thus, for a more fair comparison to the modern keys..... perhaps the entire pops for all the half cents combined is what is needed to be looked at. Then the prices may align more realistically.
But of course.... while the rest of the collecting world ignores these series.... that means bargains for us! And yes.... I do think they are bargains also.... even if the large demand is not there!
Looking for Denmark 1874 20-Kroner. Please offer.
I'm also a sucker for low grade (G to VG) 1927-s quarters... I hoard nice uncleaned specimens... used to be able to pick them up for $20, now it's usually $30.
Time to get out the old coinfacts.com mintage guide and look up some half cents.
of people put them away for a rainy day.
I only have one in a PCGS holder....I like errors and it has a comma in the date.
(I'm not sure that is an error, or not,....but I think it is neat!)
I also like the PCGS holder because it is clear so that you can read the letters around the edge.
Photos by JrGMan.
Brian
I LOVE
EAC AU55
They have alot of history behind them.
They are a great value.
They are great looking coins.
They have great potential.
I say they have great potential because I see them much like Confederate currency or fractional currency. These areas were not valued for a long time, then all of a suden the demand started to pick up and now the prices are going through the roof. Looking back over the past 30 years or so, we have seen many series that have gained interest. I think collectors are always looking for a new area and new bargains. And these little sisters are very interesting.
I truly believe that half cents have the same potential because of their scarcity and their relative value, imho.
Regards
Gary
pisspoor investment i.m.o . B ut i love them
Yes I'm bumping a 12 year old thread because I wish to celebrate half cents! Do you believe they are still relatively under valued today?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
nope, just ask any commem collector.
they're cheap for just one reason, lack of demand.
As it has said in "The Red Book" for many year (paraphrase) "All half Cents are scarce, but collector interest is limited, thus the more common dates are reasonably priced."
I like half Cents, but the big gaps in the series such as 1812 to 1824 and 1837 to 1848 (Even though there are coins, they are too rare for most collectors to consider collecting them PLUS the confusion as to when they were struck) makes the series unattractive for many.
The prices really are where they should be, and dealers have told me that the 1849 to 1857 series really is a hard sell.
I had a full date set but sold the common ones a while ago.
I did keep the 1796, 1831, 1836, 1840 thru 1848, 1849 Small Date, and 1852.
I kept them because it took me 14 years to get those 14 coins.
Most of the proofs are Originals and are circulated.
There is a thread with pics of all of these.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
The half cents are a neglected area of coin collecting... I have watched for a deal on a 1796 for many a year... no luck so far..... not a big deal, I am a very patient individual....
Cheers, RickO
Low supply, but also low demand. Still, they are quite cool.
Dave
This is my one and only half cent.
I still have the set I described a little over 12 years ago. My heirs will benefit from the sale of it.
Supply divided by demand will give you cost. Small supply, smaller demand, low cost.
Collect what you like, and get your pound of flesh via enjoyment of the coin(s). If you make a profit on it so much the better, but don't expect to.
U.S. Type Set
The 1973 Pinto 2 door station wagon in factory color Baby Poop Brown with Avocado Green vinyl interior is a lot rarer than my car, but I guess I lean toward the common stuff.
i like the half cents myself. there reasonable by all means , just saying
.
Gem coins with some red have appreciated in value. Don't know about the rest.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."