Anyone notice the large discrepancy in prices between The Red Book and Coin World Coin Values. For example, the 2011 Red Book list a 1794 in AG for around $140, but Coin World Coin Values lists it for $700. Have the prices gone up that much since the 2011 Red Book was printed or is that an error in Coin World Coin Values?
There are 56 varieties (plus another 11 deemed NC - "non-collectable" due to there only being 5 or less known) of the 1794 large cents. A quick perusal through the current (20th) edition of CQR-Copper Quotes by Robinson shows the lowest price for an slightly below average, but clean (no scratches, corrosion, etc.) coin in AG-3 condition at $125. A scuzzy coin (one with scratches and/or corrosion and/or rim dings and/or cleaned and/or etc.) can be as low as $50. I would lean towards the Red Book as being the more realistic regarding pricing. I've always felt that Coin World prices are higher and seem to be the number that many dealers want to sell you their coins at (but would prefer to buy and a discount from the Red Book).
I hear what you're saying. But, most of the coins I've compared in The Red Book & Coin World Coin Values are pretty close. This difference is "crazy", so figured there has to be an error.
The bottom line is that any coin is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Variance from the guides in early coppers is extreem due to the great variety of condition issues. Almost none are problem free and choosing what is average for the grade has widely varying opinion. Truly problem free coins usually sell at a premium over Redbook and perhaps this is what Coin World has picked up. Now I still find a value of a typical 1794 in AG to be closer to $140 with variety rarities sometimes demanding significant premiums. It is possible that the price was for a 1793 rather than 1794. $700 is pretty close to a 1793 wreath in AG.
That's true, except in the case of the NC's or scarce specimens. Then those may be worth what the owner would be will to let them go for ? You cannot buy what isn't for sale. IMHO gary
To be honest, any guide that has prices for large cents is guesswork at best. I say this because I see rare LC's going for under a hundred one week, and over 2000 the next, and then common pieces bringing hundreds one day and 20 the next. It all depends on whats available when people are looking to buy. For instance, I've been looking for the 55 slanted fives with knob on ear....a very common variety that rarely comes onto the market, so when one does it sells for 5-50 times book price. Guy
Large cents, perhaps more than other coins, are valued not only by their grade, but also by the quality of the surfaces. That's why valuation of this series is more difficult than others, IMO. CQR and Heritage are good price sources, as are the PCGS guides for encapsulated examples. But remember, guides are guides, and will never be completely accurate. Pricing coins is educated guesswork.
p.s. in the case of the 1794, I would lean towards Redbook values being the more accurate, but would lean towards CQR or Heritage if given the choice.
I could see an average AG3 '94 (not starred, not hd of '93) going for $300-500. I paid $950 for a nice F12. 1793 is much more. They're not especially hard to find but expect to pay $5k+ for a chain or liberty cap beaded in AG. A wreath in AG, $1.5k+ Yes, condition swings prices a lot with these coins. Lance.
i think the most i could add to this thread is that ive noticed the dealers who are extremely attention to detail on prices and the guys who "set it and forget it". when i told ricky at csns i got my wreath cent for 400 he said you cant get anything for 400 anymore. added that when you goto a show like CSNS the dealers have spent a fair amount of money to get there so they cant be giving coins away. with the smaller local shows you wont find nearly as much but you might find some better prices. edit: the dealer i got my wreath cent from doesnt even goto shows so you never know who has what.
The problem is that in the past few years there have been a few major sales of early date collections to specialized variety collectors. The high prices paid by these specialists for quality coins were picked up and applied to the generic coins represent in the Coin World listings. They also did not make allowances for the differences between EAC grading and market grades. This has resulted in the prices listed in Coin World being way off. The Red Book prices are probably closer to reality for typical coins.
I agree with Condor101. I picked up two of Dan Holmes late date coppers (an 1844 N-3 and an 1852 N-5 - image below). In both cases, I spent at least twice what Red Book listed. However, they both were R.2 rarities (not super rare, but less common than typical 1844 and 1852 large cents which is what Red Book pricing is based on. I paid the extra for the Dan Holmes provenance and the quality of the coins. If you are interested at all in large cents, joining EAC http://www.eacs.org would be the wise move.
Lovely '52 Cringley. Very nice. Here's the correct link for EAC. The other one sends you to some child care organization (not that there's anything wrong with that). Lance.
