1870 Indian head cent

I picked this up at an estate sale yesterday. I’m not very good at grading but it seems to have good detail. Thanks for the help in advance. Oh almost forgot it was a $100.

 

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I don’t know much about this series but it seems high to me. I know I’m on the cheap side and if I spend that much on a coin at a yard sales I should know a lot more about them.

 

Odd photos, making it look like something terrible's been done to the coin's surface. But that's close to a hundred-dollar coin in a straight VG08, right? Even if it's cleaned, with XF/AU details you're way ahead. Assuming, of course, that it's authentic!

 

Yes, I agree! But there were about five or more customers chomping at the bits and had to make a quick decision on many items. Trying to reference red book in your head is somewhat challenging along with a grade in a moments time is rough. So, I took a chance.

 

Can you shoot it in somewhat gentler light, next to a couple of contemporary Lincolns, so we can get a clearer idea of its color and texture?

 

I think it's the lighting and my phone. All my photos seem to come out like that. I'll Try!!!!!

 

Hope this will help

 

Nice semi-key although the surface is definitely altered.

 

Her are a few up close. With the naked eye appears to have a blueish tone.

 

Assuming it's authentic, I'd say you made a good deal

 

Nice woodie better date at a good price.misplaced date too in the denticles I would of given a c note any day for that specimen. I believe it is a snow 5 try and image it without over exposure natural light. And ill look at it again.tag me as its also a doubled die...value $300/450 +/-

 

I like it, too. I think you did OK. And it doesn't look "altered" any more or less than those other cents you're showing do.

 

I agree 100% with eddie woodies are hard to image... and being a semi key as well other chopping at the bit I say you did extremely well... and will stick with my assessment on its true value.. two to three times what you paid....if not more from my 4 references. Plus your getting honest advice from two members who probably have over 100+ years of collecting experence between them vs that of a 12 and 17 year old.

 

Ah no...you are completely wrong.. please state & list All your references to be giving advice that evidently you know not what your talking about.

 

http://www.indiancentvarieties.com/1870_varieties.html

https://www.indianvarieties.com/pennies/indian-head-cents/1870-indian-head-penny/

The F.IND.ERS REPORT Flying Eagle & Indian cent die varieties. By Lary R Steve, and Kevin J. Flynn

The top Flying Eagle & Indian cent die varieties. Russell B.B. Doughty

 

It very well could just be the photos but compared to other copper cents it looks altered to me. Looks like old cleaning IMO. There's no need to get upset over it, its just my opinion.

And does my age matter in regard to my credibility? I thought coin collectors were supposed to encourage young numismatists.

 

I'm going to say that in general more years active in the hobby results in better judgement about hobby-related questions. (I'm an old guy, but I haven't been that active in the hobby for that long, so my opinions should carry less weight.)

For some things, like interpreting photos presented on the web, a few years of current experience may sometimes outweigh decades of experience with in-hand examination and catalog photos. Or not; it's going to vary from person to person, of course.

In this thread, and LOTS of others, I'm staying tuned in hopes of learning more. Where I'm certain someone's posting bad info or misinterpreting an image, I'll speak up -- politely, unless I think they're doing it in bad faith, or I'm having a bad day. (And sometimes I can be certain and still wrong!)

I think @Matthew Kruse and @Abramthegreat have turned out to be strong contributors here, showing judgement beyond their years. If they post one thing and @Paddy54 posts something different, yeah, I'll probably give more weight to @Paddy54's opinion -- but I'll pay close attention to the discussion, because one side or the other is likely to learn something new, and I want to freeload off of that.

I do hope, of course, that the discussion stays respectful.

 

What's this, hieroglyphics?

 

It's extended Morse code for "I accidentally hit Post before I finished typing, and if I leave a half-written post up, @eddiespin will make some smart-horsey comment about it."