I recently purchased a box of old paperbacks at an auction and bottom of box was a blue Indian Head penny collection book from 1960, Whitman Hobby Div - It had about 30 cents total but the 1856 is pretty rare but extremely worn and barely readable - At current time I do not have a camera that will even get close to showing the date so I cannot post a pic here. My question is how should I proceed with this coin? Should I find a local dealer with a mucho better coin magnification devices to verify the coin or is there another route I should take such as the coin grading services? I've only become interested in coins since I started metal detecting about 2 yrs ago so I am a total newbie. Thanks in advance for any advise or help!
You might be surprised at the quality you can get from an iPhone. Make sure the coin is well-lit and hold the phone as steady as you can (if you can improvise something to hold the phone or set it on, even better). Try it and post what you can get here.
Most 56's were never circulated much, so my first thought sir would be a worn 58, but please post some kind of photo for us and we can help.
When she gets home this evening I will have HER take a pic of the coin and try to post it back here. Thanks.
The 1858 LL cent and 1858 SL cent also in book, right next to 1856. Will post pics as soon as daughter home from work this evening. Thanks!
We took a pic but the date is still not readable in pic...may try to find a coin dealer somewhere local to try to validate the date on the coin.
Be careful. Not all dealers will be able to help you with the correct answers on a coin that has that much wear. Any images of the coin may help.
Wow. You guys are good. Thanks for taking the time to look at those bad pics - After looking at 1856 cents my Indian Head collection will prob be incomplete...Anyhoo thx again.
