1838 large cent.

Thank you I tried to tell this to my coin dealer but he argued with me and offered me 8 dollars for this one sorry but I do a little research before I go there he doesn't need to know. Lol

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

If the dealer doesn't "do" varieties, then as far as he is concerned their is only one variety. The one piece listed in the Redbook. Variety collectors love this type of dealer because they are ripe for cherrypicking. Strangely this type of dealer often gets angry with variety collectors and will sometimes refuse to let them view his stock because he is afraid he will sell a rare variety cheaply. But he won't take the time and effort to attribute the coins himself, and he doesn't care if he may be selling a rare variety to a non-variety collector cheap. Such a dealer also will not pay a premium for rare varieties that aren't in the Redbook.

 

I totally agree I feel like he's a snake in sheep's clothing

 

The famous Sneep!! Congratulations on the find!

 

Thank you and didn't you mean sheep

 

Nevermind sn- eep

 

Hey you recently suggested my 1838 large cent was variety 14, can I ask you to take another look because I went to PCGS and # 1741 is a variety14, but if you look at # 37219 it's a variety 15 and if you look at Liberties hair the bun the gap in the center is wider than a 14 and IMO it's closer to a variety 15 if I'm not correct then thank you for the help and i apologize.

 

1838's are not easy to attribute but your coin definitely isn't a N-15. 1838's can be grouped into two broad categories those with perfect E's in LIBERTY, and those with the upper left serif broken. Yours has a broken serif, N-15 has a perfect E. Also N-15 was made using the same reverse as N-13 and 16 and it has the right upright of the N in cent broken, yours isn't. Finally N-15 used that reverse in a very late die stage were the denticals had worn away, your coin still has denticals on the reverse. As for the gap in the center of the bun that can widen if the die is polished during use.

 

Oh ok thank you didnt know that,stilltrying to find a book to buy no one where i live carries the newcomb ill look on line

 

I gave you links to were you can download them for free. If you want a printed copy of Newcomb www.abebooks.com has a copy for $23.25 delivered. It's the quarterman edition that has plates in the back (not the best but earlier printing didn't have plates) and If I remember some commentary by John Wright. This is probably your best option if you want a printed book unless you are willing to spring the $100 + to get either the Wright or Noyes books.

 

Yeah where I live it's too expensive for internet is have to download it to my phone which will take several hours sorry I'll just have to buy it and thank you.

 

Good looking coin for 180 years old - modern day zinc cents will evaporate into nothing when they're 180

 

*****************************************

The first thing you have to do is purchase the USA Red Book on coins...That holds the majority of information for you. Secondly numismatics is like a science and cannot be learnt in 1 day or so.... I am 61 years old and started when i was 8 and still learning to this very day.. That is over half a century. Lastly you can pay a dealer to grade and define items if you dont want to do the study as they are the same as doctors and need to be compensated for their study...Just remember grading is an opinion...I will put up here the grading from the Australian Mcdonalds catalogue and i will say dealers worldwide live by those grades... In my eyes the coins writing and details are a true fine. As the writing is very clear but traces of lustre are gone. As well however the worst thing is on the reverse ( wreath side ) at about 7.00 clock position, there is a ding on the rim which is a damage and i would take that down a grade making it almost fine. Now if you wanted to sell this, just remember you have to let the buyer or dealer make something on it as they are not in business for fun. They do it for a living. REMEMBER THAT IT IS ONLY WORTH WHAT A PERSON IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT....If you are concerned about adding it to the contents insurance of the home, dont bother.. It is not worth the effort...oio

 

Great post. I have been loving large cents recently. Nice circulated example.