What is the lowest cost to entry in the Condition Census?

RYK · January 30, 2009 10:44AM

The Condition Census can be loosely defined as the best 5-12 examples of an issue in a well-studied and popular series, as determined by experts and/or interested collectors. (Feel free to tweak my definition, if you will.)

For Dahlonega gold, it is hard to get into the Condition Census without buying a coin for under $6000-8000. My guess is that the Condition Census Saints (if there is such a thing) would probably start around $15,000. I have a condition census 1837 large cent (I believe it is #10) that cost me around $1000.

How low can you go and have a top ten coin (for the issue)?

Aegis3 · January 30, 2009 10:51AM

Probably St Patrick/Newby farthings by die variety.

MrHalfDime · January 30, 2009 11:05AM

I have no idea what the record might be for the lowest cost to enter the condition census, but for the Capped Bust half dimes I was able to purchase a condition census coin for not too much money. In 1992 I bought a low grade 1830 example which I could not attribute because it had a large cud on the obverse at stars 5-6 which I had never seen before. After bringing the coin home and studying it further, I was still unable to attribute it. I then read my latest copy of the John Reich Journal (quarterly publication of the JRCS), and learned of a new discovery by Dr. Eric Gutscher of the 1830 LM-5/V13. My coin was the second, confirming piece. Only a G-6 example, but for $12 I was sitting pretty in the condition census. I later sold the coin to another specialist, and have upgraded it with a VF-25 example with the cud and an AU-55 example without the cud. I doubt that the G-6 piece would make the condition census (top 6 known examples) today, but I will also bet that it has a place of honor in someone's CBHD collection.

Lakesammman · January 30, 2009 11:08AM

It's alot easier to get into the CC with patterns.

I like the EAC method - ignore the slabs and evaluate the merits of the coin. With other series, the CC is always uncertain.

MidLifeCrisis · January 30, 2009 11:12AM

<< Probably St Patrick/Newby farthings by die variety. >>

Really? Please explain why you think this.

coindeuce · January 30, 2009 11:33AM

I have an 1840 N.2 Large Cent that when reviewed by the proper experts, or when(shudder!) is wrapped in plastic will likely be #2 or #3 in the Condition Census, and it was aquired as a common date for a very affordable sum.

shorecoll · January 30, 2009 12:24PM

I have a unique CWT that I bought for $80. That's in the CC but it's not a coin.

ColonialCoinUnion · January 30, 2009 12:26PM

<< Probably St Patrick/Newby farthings by die variety. >>

Good answer - I didn't think of that.

Since there are so many die varieties of St. Pats, almost every one of these you find is an R-6 or better and by definition near the top of a what is typically defined as a cc. That might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

JA

Unknown · January 30, 2009 12:34PM

This content has been removed.

MidLifeCrisis · January 30, 2009 12:34PM

<< 

<< Probably St Patrick/Newby farthings by die variety. >>

Good answer - I didn't think of that.

Since there are so many die varieties of St. Pats, almost every one of these you find is an R-6 or better and by definition near the top of a what is typically defined as a cc. That might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

JA >>

Good point about the rarity of the die varieties. I just prefer a more general definition of condition census, as in the best examples of a particular coin type including all minor varieties.

Barndog · January 30, 2009 2:02PM

<< I have no idea what the record might be for the lowest cost to enter the condition census, but for the Capped Bust half dimes I was able to purchase a condition census coin for not too much money. In 1992 I bought a low grade 1830 example which I could not attribute because it had a large cud on the obverse at stars 5-6 which I had never seen before. After bringing the coin home and studying it further, I was still unable to attribute it. I then read my latest copy of the John Reich Journal (quarterly publication of the JRCS), and learned of a new discovery by Dr. Eric Gutscher of the 1830 LM-5/V13. My coin was the second, confirming piece. Only a G-6 example, but for $12 I was sitting pretty in the condition census. I later sold the coin to another specialist, and have upgraded it with a VF-25 example with the cud and an AU-55 example without the cud. I doubt that the G-6 piece would make the condition census (top 6 known examples) today, but I will also bet that it has a place of honor in someone's CBHD collection. >>

your G-6 does have a place of honor in a NYC half dime collector's "coin cabinet"

What is the lowest cost to entry in the Condition Census?

Comments

Leave a Comment