I'm curious about so-called "problem" coins in the Early American Copper coinage, especially Large Cents 1793 - 1814. With lower priced series (say Franklin 50c), even collectors of modest means can insist on problem free coins. But with old Large Cents, half cents... not so much. It just seems there are so very, very few problem-free coins even in lower grades. I watch Heritage closely, and they commonly have fabulous coins. But even Heritage has many "problem" EACs (Husak excepted !) Is there a different perception amongst early copper collectors ? It seems problem early coppers have lower prices, but not as much stigma attached to them. They're more "socially acceptable". Any thoughts ?
Yes, "problems" are less problematic wth early copper collectors. Part of it is because if only problem-free coins were acceptable to the marketplace, there would be very few to go around. Another part of it is the nature of copper -- being a very soft and reactive metal.
And a great many EACer are COLLECTORS. We know that if we want to include that variety in our collection we are going to have to accept a problem coin. Some varieties for all practical purposes only exist as problem coins. And when you are collecting a series that has a lot of the pieces where 30 or fewer specimens exist in ALL grades combined, and there are a few hundred SERIOUS collectors, you take what you can get. If you get a chance to upgrade some day that's fine because there will still be that demand for your problem coin.
Makes sense. I've read that these coppers were the coins of the Common Man. Workhorse coins, not sittin' around in some banker's gold vault waiting to be shipped across the ocean to big dog merchants. They circulated, slipped out of people's pockets in the schoolyard, and sometimes lay buried in the dirt for a while. Maybe a l-o-o-o-o-n-g while. They did what they were made to do ! The condition census for these looks a lot different than contemporary eagles and half eagles.
Yeh, old copper coins have all sorts of problems. - Porous planchets - Environmental damage - Bad cleaning (but most older coins have this problem) I'm in the market for a 1790-something coin. A VF, maybe XF no-problem coin. Probably will be a 1797 or 1978 common variety cent, but possibly a half cent. Just want a US coin from that time. I've seen nothing like that on eBay or Teletrade. I've got a 40-60 dealer show coming up the 24th. I'll look there, but will probably have to wait until the big Baltimore show in June.
That's what I'm talking about. Not sure whether the denticles on the obverse have been cropped off OR that's the way this particular coins is. But whatever, nice coin. Just what I want. One good example. Okay, went back and looked at the larger image. That's the total coin and the obverse centering was a bit off.
I believe if the obverse was perfectly centered the cost would be even more. It is even harder to find the perfectly centered coins from that era.
EAC convention in Dallas comin up in May ! I do believe I'm gonna drop by. Ask questions. Take notes. Maybe drop a few bills ! There's no telling what's gonna be runnin' around that place.
The John Reich Collectors Society (Seated Liberty coinage) will also be represented at the convention and bourse. The combination should give you a wide range of early US coins to see and learn about.
How i envy you guys who will be able to attend the EAC convention! I have to do all my looking (and eventual buying) from far away! To comment about the main topic of this post: in my opinion, early U.S cents, and also half cents, have a difficult to describe , but undeniable appeal. Maybe it has something to do with thew fact they are so closely associated with everyday life in early America, which i happen to admire a lot. I don't know. At any rate, i really like collecting them, and now have 26 pre-1800 coppers in my collection. from these, i guess only 2-3 can be described as "perfect for the grade", no corrosion, verdigris, pits, or nasty rim nicks. The rest are all affected in some way: I am willing to accept light corrosion, and slight granularity as long as the overall design detail is still visible and appealing. I draw the line at holes, plugged or not. Those i will not accept, (I once owned a 1799 cent with an attempted punture - i returned it even if its overall grade was fine 12). Yes, i think collectors of early coppers do tend to be more forgiving. Perfect coppers are very rare (and extremely expensive), and let us not forget, these coins originate from a time which was difficult and full of trials for the early settlers of America. Those times were not easy and "perfect", and the coins don't have to be perfect either. Regards, Eduard
If you go to EAC, be ready to eat cat food afterwards. I have yet to meet anyone who has attended that hasn't dropped considerably more money than they intended. I also have never met anyone who regretted it. It is truly the apex of copper, and you will see Chain cents, Starred Reverses, 1802/0 Half Cents and more. Have fun, and Eduard, you of all people need to come someday if it is possible. Early US history doesn't belong only to the US. It was a human event, and I think every one on earth has been touched by those years in some way or another. Mike
You haven't met me. I didn't spend a dime at EAC last year except for food and hotel. (Of course, I wasn't able to stay for the sale Saturday night.)
