Please help me value this 1877 Indian Head Cent.

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Eduard, Jan 24, 2018.

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  1. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    I am going to let this 1877 IHC go - it will probably go to an acquaintance who would like to have one.
    Not being a small cent collector would like to ask you to value it to have a ball park figure to go by.

    Thanks!

    1877 cent obv - 1.jpg 1877 cent rev - 1.jpg
     
    Eduard, Jan 24, 2018
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  3. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    I personally see it as a G6 to borderline VG8. Some minor surface issues, but I think it has a reasonably decent chance at a straight-grade if submitted to a TPG. It's really not too bad for a circulated example in this grade range.

    Numismedia has the 1877 IHC at $450 in G4 and $576 in VG8.

    Retail estimate? $500 or so, I'd guess. You of course would be unlikely to get such an offer from a dealer, but this is a nice coin to have if genuine, and I see no obvious red flags on that front. The weakness on the lower portion of the N in ONE is a good sign.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2018
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    PS- in PCGS plastic with a straight grade, it would list for $550 in G4, $650 in G6, and $800 in VG8, so this is definitely one of those coins that would be well worth submitting for grading.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  5. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    Great, thank you very much, lordmarcovan:) Thanks for the ballpark value.

    I'm no good grading these - I would have gone lower.
     
    Eduard, Jan 24, 2018
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  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Full rims there, and just a little bit of headband with the L in Liberty showing.

    That's solid G4 territory, and arguably G6. A lot of the G4 examples I've seen have a totally flat portrait with no detail.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  7. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Per PCGS Photograde:

    Here is G4.

    [​IMG]

    Here is G6.

    [​IMG]

    Here is VG8.

    [​IMG]

    So G6 is, by comparison with these examples, actually pretty reasonable for your coin there. It's maybe got a shot at VG8, though I personally like to see a litte bit more traces of LIBERTY on the headband for that grade.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  8. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    I grade it VG10
     
    C-B-D, Jan 24, 2018
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  9. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    $500 raw.
     
    ldhair, Jan 24, 2018
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  10. Burton Strauss III

    Burton Strauss III Brother can you spare a trime? Supporter

    I'm with @C-B-D - I think it's solid upper G and in today's world that's a TPG VG especially on these.
     
    Burton Strauss III, Jan 24, 2018
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  11. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    I think the reverse is VG, net G.

    Obverse is technical G-, the top right rim is too weak for a full G, but the TPG'ers may let it pass since it is a key date
     
    Treashunt, Jan 24, 2018
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  12. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    Yeh, key coins often get a slight grade boost.
     
    kanga, Jan 24, 2018
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  13. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    Thanks all for your comments, and lordmarcovan - many thanks again for the pictorial guide!
    Time to let this coin go.
     
    Eduard, Jan 24, 2018
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  14. JayF

    JayF Active Member

    Does date matter on the pricing you just quoted ? I have an 1899 very similar to his. I'd post the pics here but didn't want to hijack this gentleman's post. Thanks!
     
    JayF, Jan 24, 2018
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  15. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    It matters a LOT in this case. The 1877 is the key date for the series, while 1899 is a common date.

    Here's the Numismedia trend prices for the whole series, so you can compare them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2018
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  16. JayF

    JayF Active Member

    @lordmarcovan Never mind, went to the link you posted (numismatic) and checked 1899. Thanks for the link!
     
    JayF, Jan 24, 2018
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  17. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Glad to help.

    You see, the 1877 @Eduard posted is the "king" of the series. (The 1909-S is arguably the second-best to have.)
     
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  18. JayF

    JayF Active Member

    Yeah, I was checking the details on the coin and totally forgot the "key" dates...still have to learn all of them (transitional years, etc) Enjoying learning a lot just by reading people's posts.
     
    JayF, Jan 24, 2018
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  19. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    I don't agree with this practice by the TPGs (all coins of the same type should be graded to the same standard, regardless of whether they're common or key dates), but yes, I do agree that a little bit of "gradeflation" or "market grading" does seem to happen on key date coins.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jan 24, 2018
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  20. wxcoin

    wxcoin Getting no respect since I was a baby

    Like others have said it's a solid VG. The date is sharp and overall it isn't a bad looking key date coin. It's easily a $500-700 coin.
     
    wxcoin, Jan 24, 2018
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  21. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    I’m at g-6. Especially with the minor surface issues. I’d give it a soak in verdicare and try and see if it’ll go away too. I think wholesale around $425 and retail around $500 for it
     
    Mainebill, Jan 24, 2018
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