I know this will have many answers, but I'm seeking a consensus. What reduction in value do you give a coin where one side is fair and the other side is flat? I'm currently looking at a coin whose Obverse I can Identify, but I can't make out the reverse where two reverses are paired with the known obverse. both are R4 so either would be a good pickup, but you can't tell which it is.
IMO if I understand you correctly, it bring the value down A LOT if your saying if one side of a coin is nice and the other is just so worn its hard to identify
i guess if youre buying it as a filler or because its really cheap but id have a problem spending good money on something i cant make out. then again if youre just looking at pictures on ebay theres sometimes where you just need to have the coin in hand to see that there is still details on a otherwise flat looking coin.
It really depends on your area of numismatics. I am assuming this is a large cent. If most of the value is the fact that it is R-4, but you cannot pinpoint which R-4 it is, I think it would lower its value considerably. If someone is paying that premium for the rarity of the variety, usually they want to know WHAT variety it is since they wish to complete a set. Having an unknown variety like this does them no good, since they cannot know what other variety they need to buy, right? I mean, its a cool thing to say its a R-4 regardless, but will the specialists who desire that rarity be happy with a unknown coin? I would say try to pick it up for the value of a common in that condition. I am simply unsure of much value above that. Just an opinion, which is probably dangerous by a non-specialist. Chris
Can you make out anything on the obv that would give you a close as to die state? What varieties are you looking at? If you can't make out the variety it is the same as not knowing the variety and it is just type coin money.
Just curious Conder, knowing you know large cents, do you agree with my post if it is unknowable which R-4 it is?
I guess there is no use disguising what I'm looking at. I'm looking at a 1794 Obverse 2 in fair condition. The top two shorter locks above a longer lock with the presence of the top of the pole at the cap confirm the obverse. It is called S-18b, but I can't see enough detail on the reverse or any clue on what is left of the Obverse to use for die state identification to verify Reverse A verses Reverse B of S-19. Both are R4 though I believe the S-18 is somewhat less available judging by Heritage records. Both are Head of 93 type coins. The type premium would have to be offset somewhat by the lack of identifiable reverse, but I'm just not sure by how much. My current thought is that an identifiable variety of this type in basal 1 would go for about $200 since AG lists at about $550. But beyond that I'm uncertain. O well, in for a Penny, in for a Buck. This is what I'm looking at. http://www.ebay.com/itm/U-S-1794-LIBERTY-CAP-LARGE-CENT-HEAD-93-NICE-/230661944906?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item35b485f64a I'm currently high bid, but I'm beginning to think I overbid based on identification I can't confirm. Of course I can't confirm the edge, but either with an edge of 93 would be an even greater rarity. I'm inclined to go with 19b due to the bulges which MAY indicate the obverse die is about to fail. But I can't tell if it's the die or wear mimicking die failure.
I don't mean to be an arse here, but how can you tell that the coin is even what it supposedly is claimed to be? Detail is so far removed that it could be a counterfeit that was then worn down, couldn't it? I'm not saying it is, but rather sincerely inquiring as to how you would tell.
A worn counterfeit is always a possibility when dealing with photos. But the hair detail that is there indicates it would have to be based on Obverse 2. I also haven't heard of counterfeiters getting the edge of these Lettered Edge coins right, though it is posssible.
I agree with obv 2. The back photo seems to be a little out of focus but I seem to see some shadows of detail so it may show a little better in hand. I would tend to lean more toward 18b because on 19 the reverse denticals were much heavier and the lettering was closer to the heavy denticals and I think that probably would have protected it a little better. S18 had smaller shallow denticals on the reverse that would provide less protection. Unfortunately those thoughts are not good enough to DEFINITELY say it is 18b. The seller has identified it as 18b.
