Large Cents

OldFishingLures · October 23, 2007 10:42AM

Hi Folks Newbie here....Hopefully first of many questions and or posts....

Im an antique lure collector branching out from my norm. Latey Ive been tradin some of my lures for coins with some of the folks I normally do business with....

Ive been thinking and buying a few misc pieces to see what I liked and what intrigued me and think I may give the Large Cents the focus of what I would like to be another long term passion/money pit (Oops did I say that).

Anyhow as with any pssion and or item I spend money on, I like to do my research . Ive noticed on some of the sites some the books mentioned about Large Cents, and era type coinage....

Does anyone know a place to find used books on this topic? Ive checked Fleabay for a few to no avail.

Also what would you recomend for books. I really hate to dump huge money into one book or one set when I just start until Im 100% posative Im heading that way...I dont mind paying for knowledge in a book as it comes ceaper then the school of lumps you can take if you dont learn...But Id rather get some things in my hands before I bite the $250 bullet for one Id like to know if theres a few that will help get me started at a normal price range...I love the history behind things and the correlation to the world events in what I collect...

I love copper, as we use it in our home, when we can afford it. So I figure Large cents are for me...

Anyhow looking for advice, thoughts, opinions on large cents as a focal point as far as diversity, stability, history, value, (Your Thoughts on) under-appreciated/over appreciatedetc, etc.....photos and a starting point....

I know in theroy Lures and coins are similar as the both are "things" and Im sure some of my lure collecting will directly relate. However grading (With all the 3rd parties, politics, pricing etc arent farmiliar to me.), the battle to clean or not (Same in the lure world, if you dont know what your doing leave it alone) Ive lost some nice lures trying to get a fishermans artwork off a 1915 wooden lure...So some things are the same and others different....So I hope you can bare with me in my learning curve....

Also I appologize in advance I type faster then I spell....

Matt

Old Fishing Lures

cullenbryant · October 23, 2007 10:53AM

hi and welcome. i appreciate large cents a lot.. especially the draped bust design. don't know much about
them though.. just casually drop on ebay and buy one now and then. i don't use much in the way of pricing them
either, just get that gut feeling if what i'm buying is worth what i'm about to pay TO ME. it's all for enjoyment.

Silverstate · October 23, 2007 11:04AM

Buy a book called Penny Whimsey - It shows large cents by die varieties. pictures and cheaper than most of the coins.

Amazon

Large Cents are great!

seemyauction · October 23, 2007 11:06AM

Welcome to the Boards.....

Alan

Elcontador · October 23, 2007 11:08AM

I think Breen has a book, I ahve Noyes books on the early and middle dates. If you get any Breen books, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after using them. The guy was a real sicko, but knew quite a bit about coins.

AUandAG · October 23, 2007 11:08AM

welcome to the forum!

bob

Edscoin · October 23, 2007 11:11AM

Welcome. Most of the books I have I got of E bay. They don't come up that often but if you have Patience every now and then you will find them. Most books on Large Cents are a little expensive but they are a must have.
For Early Dates 1793-1814 I would recommend - Penny Whimsy by William Sheldon
for dates 1816-1857 - United States Copper Cents by Howard Newcomb
Bob Grellmen also has a great book on middle and late dates.
Also some of the best reference books are Auction catalogs that you can pick up on the Bay.

Cgb · October 23, 2007 11:25AM

Welcome aboard!

OldFishingLures · October 23, 2007 12:38PM

Thanks for the help so far just placed an order for the Penny Whimsy.

Any thoughts on this, grade etc. a lure friend of mine offered it up to me. the reverse is in same condition a hair better. Thanks for your thoughts.

Matt 1804 half

MrHalfDime · October 23, 2007 12:54PM

Check with one or more of the numismatic book dealers who specialize in precisely the type of books you mention. There are several well known book dealers, but I have always enjoyed doing business with Charlie Davis, of Massachusetts. He can be reached at:

Numislit@aol.com

He sets up at many large national coin shows, as well. Over the years Charlie has been extremely helpful to me in assembling my numismatic library.

Type2 · October 23, 2007 1:04PM

Now this is just me, but it looks a little funny this is a half cent? can we see the reverse.

OldFishingLures · October 23, 2007 1:11PM

Sorry for the bad pics but, i feel fortunate he can even send an email. hes a bit tech. challanged.....

Matt

Type2 · October 23, 2007 1:31PM

Pistareen · October 23, 2007 3:15PM

Be careful -- large cent collecting tends to become passionate and long-lasting. At my first coin show my only goal was to buy a large cent from before 1800. Twenty years later, I'm still a copper weenie.

You'll want to join EAC, the Early American Coppers Club. The magazine Penny-Wise is a great learning vehicle for beginner or advanced collectors, and few clubs rival it for fellowship and information sharing. The website is atwww.eacs.org.

The best book on what it means to be a large cent collector is still Sheldon's Penny Whimsy (first published as Early American Cents in 1949). The 1958 and 1965 editions are originals, the 1976 and 1981 reprints have superb photo quality, the 1990 reprint is a more inexpensive copy. No matter what book you use to determine varieties (there are several of them for each series, all of which are books with big pictures), Sheldon's prefatory material remains the most engrossing read on the subject and the most surefire way to inspire a new collector.

Among the picture books, the best are the Noyes books for early and middle dates and the latest Grellman book on late dates. The Breen Encyclopedia on early dates has a lot of useful information, but the pictures aren't as good. The Wright book on middle dates is useful and has adequate quality pictures.

Good luck!

DUIGUY · October 23, 2007 3:44PM

I love copper ! and bronze and silver and gold ...... ooops.

1798CentCollector · October 23, 2007 6:08PM

Some excellent advice. Sheldon's book intoduces the romance of the subject of early coppers. It's a favorite of mine. Rarity and census information is understandably out-of date. Pistareen's suggestion to check out the Early American Coppers Club is an excellent one. There are many avenues to collect copper and the generally accepted grading standards for raw early copper are somewhat different than the conventional market standards. Getting involved with the club and it's members are an excellent way to conveniently advance your education and understanding of early copper. EAC's bi-monthly publication Penny Wise is superb publication with excellent editorials, contributions and research work by club members.

The Noyes books on early and middle dates, Wright's book on middle dates, and Grellmans guide on late dates provide some nice photos ( drawings in Grellman's book) and are especially useful as attribution guides. I prefer Noyes' books for attributions and die state photos. There are several major auction catalogs available that are invaluable sources of information on varieties, die states, provenance, illustrations etc. Many major collections are cataloged by noted specialists and these resources are some of my most referred-to references. More recent landmark catalogs many of Superior's and Heritage's sales such as R.E. Naftzger 1973; Robbie Brown 1986 and 1996; Herman Halpern 1988 Jack Robinson 1989; G. Lee Kuntz 1991; J.R. Frankenfield 2001; Wes Rasmussen 1998 and 2005; Jules Reiver 2006. There are several others, but acquiring a few of these superb sale catalogs will certainly whet your appetite for early copper.

Good luck with your collecting!

Large Cents

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