IMO the half cent is really a sleeper. Besides the 1809, all of the classic head series have mintages under 1 million. The 1832 has a mintage of 51,000. I picked up this 1832 in XF-45 for under $150. Now think about this...this coin is 180 years old. Imagine how many 32's were lost, mutilated, melted down, etc. PCGS puts a survival EST at 2,500 for the 1834, which as a mintage almost 3 times higher. So there are probably about 850-1250 1832 half cents with us at the moment.
I doubt there only that few 1832's. I own three myself. Probably one of the most common half cents out there, all of mine are AU+. I probably passed on 100 of them either too low a grade for me, or too pricey, and that was just in the 4-5 years I was kind of into these. Very pretty coin though Tim.
The 1832 is really quite common and your survival estimate is rather high. The 1809 is also rather common, but do not assume a high mintage automatically equals a high survival.
I would think that the '32 would be less common that the '34 because the 34 had over 141,000 minted while the '32 only had 51,000.
Doesn't mean a thing really. There are so many exceptions to that common thought as to render it pretty meaningless. Your logic is correct, yet weird things happen with survival rates. I hate to be an "old man" about it, but I believe this will come with experience. 15 years ago when I was looking at these things, I could find 3-4 32's for every 34 I found. I know that is a small sampling, but just proves the point mintages are not every factor to consider. Edit: Btw Tim, not disagreeing with your choice of coin, or the idea copper is a great coin metal to collect. I find myself drawn more to copper nowadays than silver or gold, even though I could afford to collect in any metal. Something about that beautiful patina they get.......
Nice looking coin Detecto! I added some copper too, but not a decent half cent yet! Someday tho', it's on my list. http://www.ebay.com/itm/290829370353?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Heres mine and I absolutely love it. This may be one I send in on my next NGC submission. Not so much for a grade or anything, but I just really like having my nicer coins in slabs for protection and safe keepings
After comparing the pictures between Detecto's half-cent and mine, what do you think the one i posted would grade at? I was thinking around an AU-55, especially now after looking at the graded XF-45 pictured in the first post
I had the same thought the other day about the patina. It really is gorgeous to see a choice xf copper with dark brown patina in the protected area and light brown on the wear points.
Very nice indeed! I would get most of my copper from The Penny Lady, I find they are of higher quality and she's a super nice dealer. http://thepennylady.com/
Detecto, That's a very nice piece of copper! The best praise I can offer is that looks like a coin I would have in my collection, and it reminds me of a few of my large cents. Congrats on your NEWP.