not sure about reverse issue. Overall not terrible shape for $30 IMO https://www.ebay.com/itm/155332931741
In that grade, with environmental problems, it's hard to tell if it's a planchet flaw or a bit of corroded metal that was dug out of the surface. I would vote removed metal. Laminations usually are not that shape. The mark on the back is more than likely post mint damage.
I've been at this for over 60 years. I will give you a couple of pieces of advice, and then I will leave the issue alone. #1. If you are looking at low grade, cleaned, early copper coins, it gets hard to tell if it's mint caused or post mint damage. By this time, the mint was buying its planchets from England, and the initial quality was pretty good. It's not like some of the pieces from 1793 and '94 when the mint was melting copper from wherever they could get it and rolling their own. For a piece like this, which is fairly lower grade an has been cleaned, it's not an important issue. But, if you start buying more expensive material, it is. #2. Planchet defects on early coins lower the value and desirability. Given the choice, and early copper die variety collector will take a piece on a good, smooth copper planchet over a piece with issues, even if the issues are mint caused. Years ago I purchased this 1795 half cent from a well known copper dealer. Since I wanted the coin for a registry set, I asked that it be certified The coin has a very tiny planchet clip that is barely noticeable. If PCGS had noted it on the holder, it would have taken several thousand dollars off the value of the piece. Therefore the deal was, I would pay “X dollars” if the coin came back without the planchet clip notation. If the planchet clip was noted, the deal was voided. It came back clean, so I purchased it. According the condition census, which a list advanced collector keep for the best known examples, this is the 7th finest known for the 1795, Cohen 1 half cent variety.
Thats a beautiful coin for sure! I appreciate your advice as I have not been into coins for nearly as long as you and know far less. Most of the stuff I buy is lower to midgrade and I flip a lot of it. As far as buying expensive coins that is where I got hurt. Stuff like a vf-25 1893S Morgan that I held onto for several years and sold at a loss. Same with 1909S VDB and 3 legged Buffalo.
Prices were higher circa 2012 than they were in 2020. Coin prices do not always go up with time. I got caught in that correction too, although I held on to what I had. All of the coins you mentioned are not that scarce, believe or not. All of them are always available for a price. The 1795 half cent I posted is hard to find in high grade, in this case, AU-55. It is expensive and lot more than most collectors can or would like to spend. There are other items that are a lot cheaper and just as rare or rarer. The trouble is most of them are tokens, medals and foreign coins.
