1806 Draped Bust Half Cent

What do these usually go for in AU55-58? Look around there. I know the PCGS price guide figure, btw.

 

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I didn't find much for uncertified coins, it seems like a good slab candidate though, would it being uncertified if it's a good slab candidate really take off that much though?

 

A good candidate - yes, but at the same time a good raw coin can bring the same or more in an auction. BUT it could also bring less, just because of the auctions. I think if you are unsure you should get it graded.

 

It'll be around 50 bucks including insured shipping, will this improve the value enough to make up for it? Should I go with PCGS?

 

I would go with PCGS - I think they are the best in the earlier copper.

 

Thats a nice coin, but I don't think you'll get an AU out of it. The rims are worn smooth and hardly any denticles are present. I'd say it'll grade a xf at best. I think as far as value, you could easily sell it for $200 or more raw.
Guy~

 

Looks more like a VF-35 to me. Although, I suppose that could just be the result of being weakly struck. If not, I see too much wear above the brow on the obverse and on the leaves on the reverse to grade any higher. Still a sweet looking 1806 half cent. Would probably fetch between $100 and $200 at auction.

 

VF? Are you completely sure? I had other people tell me this was an AU, and it still has some mint lustre remaining. I found a picture of an XF online and it looked like it had a LOT more light wear than this. I bought this thinking it was AU, there's a little wear at the very top and above the ear, but not really much more. Pretty much all the fine details of the leaves on the reverse are showing too. At least this is what I gathered. Can a weak strike give the appearance of wear?

Last Edit: the pictures are not sharp enough. Let me put some better ones up.

 

Went and looked at heritage, seems that coins being slabbed at AU58 sometimes have this. Depends on the strike though, I guess.

 

It could very well be a flat strike. Without seeing the coin in person it would be almost impossible to tell. Few half cents have full denticles, but the majority of AU and above have at least 1/3 showing. I think it would be worth a submission to a TPG if having a grade is imperitive. Couldn't hurt.
Guy~

 

I might. I freaked out a little when somebody said VF-35 because I paid substantial money for this, even though I studied the coin very carefully and got a lot of opinions with better pictures. Sometimes I just get caught up. Some of the dentacles are showing reverse, and I'll take a closer look at the obverse, but I have a question, does a 'flat strike' negatively impact the value? On Heritage, I've seen everything from dentacles on one side and none on the other to all dentacles to no dentacles. I guess the early coins weren't struck so 'perfectly'. I like the coin though.

 

It won't effect the grade, but as far as value, that depends on how much someone will pay for it. It stands to reason that one struck with sharp details will sell at a higher premium than one with a flat strike, but with the same grade. I'd have it verified by a professional before I did anything like sell it though. Like I said before, it could very well be a poor striking, as they used dies till they literally fell apart during that era.
Guy~

 

No I can't be completely sure. Like I said, what I'm perceiving to be wear might just be the result of weak striking or it could even be poor lighting in your photos.

 

It's a nice problem free coin, much better than VF, at least XF-45, I'd have no no problem with AU-50, or AU-53.

Nice half cents are hard to find.

 

How much did you pay for it ?

Tell us that, then we can say if it was a decent deal.

 

I really think it looks more like a 30. I hate grading from pictures but it seems there is too much hair detail missing for a grade of 35.

 

Btw, as I'm sure you're already aware, the coin appears to be the small 6, stemless variety.

 

Yeah, I know.

Richard, here is a picture that shows the hair detail more. Comparing this to other coins, it doesn't seem like any hair detail is missing.

 

I believe the coin is AU and does show some signs of a weak strike. In the first pictures the coin looks real nice and if you like the coin, then it is a good deal. I think for peace of mind you should go a head and send it in. You seem unsure of the grade and you would feel better with it in PCGS slab - so send it in, save yourself some worry. It is hard to grade by pictures as mentioned.