This new one isn't exactly in pristine condition, but I think it's a solid upgrade from the current placeholder (don't mind the flappy bits of foam filler material) that's in the draped bust large cent position. From the lengthy discussion I had with the shop owner and consulting his Sheldon variety book, we're both very confident that this is a S-271, state A (perfect dies) and prior to the "comet" or other flaws. There's nothing really "rare" about it at an R-1, but landing on a value (sale price) was probably the most difficult part, but I'm happy with the coin regardless of cost. It'll soon be housed in my 7070 after a few long acetone baths and anything I can do to help it out. And strangely, it has a slight convexed / concaved shape to it without having any heavy impact marks. There's a small ding one the E of ONE in the reverse, but nothing that would really substantiate it going from flat to convex. Current 7070 placeholder: Upgrade coin: Honorable mention: 1893 (P) Morgan... pretty sure a VAM-4 but I've gotta check that under my scope to be sure.
The reverse on the [newer] replacement coin is especially nice, with the exception of the small hit previously mentioned. I'm still stumped as to how that happened. For any of the EAC collectors here: what could possibly make this convex shape happen on this coin without a substantial impact? Is there something that happened with the planchets that could have caused it? I'll post additional pictures of the convex shape soon in case that helps, but it's very minimal
Here's some better pictures of the large cent. It's kinda difficult to take pics showing a slightly convex shape but I tried my best with what I could think of so far, which was just holding it on edge under the scope and grabbing some images. And now that I've gotten it under my scope, the Morgan is certainly a VAM-4. I think that might be the first "Top 100" Morgan VAM's I actually own. It's definitely nothing stellar, but it fills a hole in my Morgan albums until I find (and can afford) a better replacement! I've got more pics of the Morgan VAM details, but 10 is the limit, so here it is.
There are some dates of large cents that were struck in convex / concave planchet, but that was in 1796. The mint had started to buy copper planchets from abroad. One of the suppliers sent crummy copper with convex planchets. The mint attempted to flatten them, but it didn’t always work. Ultimately the mint started buying planchets from Bolton and Watt. In almost all cases, the mint received quality for many years after that. I don’t think that any 1805 cents were struck on concave planchets.
Thank you for that information! I haven't really read up very much on the draped bust cents, so that tidbit is much appreciated. Maybe there was a leftover planchet laying around for 10 years that they finally decided to strike?
