Here is an 1816 cent. I posted this coin once before but the pictures were no good. Please let me have yout opinions as to grade, and hopefully Newcomb variety number. Interesting coin, the surfaces are almost pristine, and hints of luster still appear present. However, the bust seems less well defined, not matching the condition of the surfaces. Maybe it is just a soft strike typical of the variety? and if so, how would it grade? Thanks! Eduard
AU 50 in my opinion....sorry, can't help you with the Newcomb number, but you might go here to examine the pics and see if you can identify it yourself! http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cent...816_large_cents/1816_large_cent_varieties.htm
Looks like the dies weren't properly aligned at the moment of the strike. That would account for the progressive weakness as you go from 11 to 5 on the obverse. Note that the stars go from having the central lines at 11 to almost disappearing at 5. This is not unusual for coins from that time. Similar weakness on the reverse in the 12-1 area (same area as the obverse weakness.) Other possibility, but less likely. The working die was not hubbed fully (again an alignment problem.) Third possibility, the planchet was not uniform in thickness. Bottom Line: The unevenness will knock the grade down a bit, but I still think it's an AU (-50 or -53).
Thanks Condor for correcting me. I did in fact leave out one tiny word in my post. which is "NOT" a toughie. funny how 3 tiny letters can mean so much isnt it. Nice Coin Ed.. I like it.
I agree. Since reverse is opposite, strength at obverse 11 o'clock corresponds to strength at 5 on reverse, which is what we see. The faces of the die were not perfectly parallel. That means 11 o'clock (obv) was slightly closer to the reverse die. Thus that portion of the coin struck up better. I have an 1816 N-2 with very similar look. 12 o'clock on the reverse is so well struck as to appear high relief, but the bow (6 o'clock) is very weakly struck. It's mint state, so it can't be due to rub. I think Eduard's coin is AU. No cartwheel, so it's possible it has seen a light cleaning long ago. Very nice coin. These middle dates are good value, I think. Nice coins without huge $$$.
Au55 The lack of detail in the stars is obviously not wear. IMO the coin is an AU55 & I would like to have one just like it. Very best regards, collect89
At that time period dies were not hubbed. The central device would be punched in using a screw press (Since a human arm and hammer would not have enough strenth.) and then all the rest of the details were punched in by hand.
Thank you all very much for your comments. With your assistance in attributing the variety as N-5, I was able to compare against similar coins in heritage: they all show the same soft strike characteristics at grade leves of EF45 to AU58. I think this was the very first U.S coin i acquired. I like it very much. It has really nice surfaces. Regards, Eduard
