I have had this 1795 large cent since I was 14. I am trying to see if it has any value or interest. Yep, it is not AG, yep it was likely cleaned, yep it has some pitting. Any thoughts?
I don’t see a date on it. Regardless, is it a “lettered edge”, a “plain edge”, perhaps a “plain edge Jefferson S-80” or a “reeded edge”? Can you even tell? The coin is clearly a Liberty Cap Cent. Go to NGC and pull up cents for 1795. That’s going to get you some good info and help you possibly nail down what you have.
A Reeded edge is a 6 figure coin as only 9 are known. A plain edge or a lettered edge is about $300 in AG-3 grade. Nice coin to have for so many years.
My feeling this coin is in the fair 2 category, but it is genuine. This coin value is hard to evaluate. I wonder how much it can be sold for.
If you are 99% on the date, assuming it is the one with the highest mintage, since G-04 is almost $500 in USA Coin Book, and it was posted that AG-03 is in the $300 range, I would be at $200-$250 on a cleaned F-02.
The nostalgia of it is probably worth more than the dollar value. Its too bad the reverse is so far gone. Whoever stapled it didn't want it getting away.
The reverse is often worn and incomplete and missing on the Liberty Cap Large Cents. The reason is that the lettering is in low relief, and there was no protective rim, to speak of, to prevent wear. Here are two high grade examples which show how shallow the lettering is. Both coins are PCGS graded MS-62. 1794 Cent 1795 Cent When I was in junior high school, I had a 1794 cent which had complete obverse with a very strong date, but the reverse was virtually blank.
