Any affordable U.S. Coinage from 1700s?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Robert, Jun 7, 2005.

  1. Robert

    Robert New Member

    I have been looking for some time for a U.S. coin from the 1700s. I just want to own one. I know this not make much sense to some of you guys but the history a coin this old would be fun to just own and hold. Any demonination from a penny to a dollar in at least F to VF condition would be wonderful. My budget is $200 or less. Any suggestions??? Thank you.
     
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  3. Bacchus

    Bacchus Coin Duffer

    My Red Book shows some large cents in years 1797 and 1798, F-12, for as low as $170.
     
  4. Robert

    Robert New Member

    Really? Cool. Thats one type of coin that I never researched. Thx :D
     
  5. Bacchus

    Bacchus Coin Duffer

    Here's an example on ebay, a bit higher than your budget:

    ebay Large Cent

    The seller has a date typo: it's 1797, not 1779.

    Looks like it's certified by NGC.
     
  6. Robert

    Robert New Member

    If it doesn't go any higher, I might be able to swing it. It IS a nice coin.
     
  7. Bacchus

    Bacchus Coin Duffer

    I think it would be very cool to have a coin from the 18th century. Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison or Paul Revere might have once owned that coin. :cool:
     
  8. Bacchus

    Bacchus Coin Duffer

    Without researching what year they died, that is. :eek:
     
  9. Robert

    Robert New Member

    Exactly. I think they should make a movie centered on one coin in history, the people who held/used it and the movie could follow the coin through history until present day. I may be a dreamer, but I'd go to a movie like that. heh heh
     
  10. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    You need to keep in mind that the first US coins are dated 1794 - unless you want to count colonial issues. So there are not that many US coins from the 1700's available. You can see them all Right Here
     
  11. Bacchus

    Bacchus Coin Duffer

    Don't forget to include the seller's shipping fee ($9.00) into the total cost of the coin.
     
  12. CoinOKC

    CoinOKC Don't Drink The Kool-Aid

    That's a very nice coin for sale on eBay.

    It's nice that it's in an NGC holder, but with a coin like that, I'd rather have it un-slabbed. I would rather be able to hold it in my hand and feel the features of the coin. I know that's a "no-no", but who knows how many historical figures may have also held that coin?
     
  13. Speedy

    Speedy Researching Coins Supporter

    I saw a nice 1794 Half dollar at the shop the other day but it was also marked $1,500.00...maybe someday years down the road!

    Speedy
     
  14. ericl

    ericl Senior Member

    18th century US coinage

    There are no affordable US coins from the 1700s. I got my 1798 penny in a European junk box-the dealer didn't know what he had.

    Unless you were lucky like I was, forget it.
     
  15. JBK

    JBK Coin Collector

    ??? I got my 1798 cent for about $8. It was 30 years ago, of course, but I don't think the price has gone up that much. The planchet is a touch rough, but it is decent VG or so.

    I also have a 1794 cent that is as worn as possible and still be datable. If grades about a Poor -3. But, you can read the date. I can't imagine that it would be worth much.
     
  16. satootoko

    satootoko Retired

    Doesn't that depend on your personal definition of "affordable"?

    In creating this thread Robert specified a budget of $200, and that's enough to pick up at least one example of a true "US" coin, the first large cent; and several others if the broad definition of US coins is used, including the Colonials. :)

    It seems to me that even a complete set of 1783 silver Nova Constellatio patterns would be easily "affordable" to King Farouk, if he were still actively collecting. :p Or to Bill Gates, if he were to take up the hobby. :rolleyes:
     
  17. Bacchus

    Bacchus Coin Duffer

    The bid on the ebay coin has increased from $232 when I posted last night, to $380 currently with a couple hours to go. :(

    Maybe we triggered a bidding war. :)
     
  18. ericl

    ericl Senior Member

    Thirty years ago, eh? Lucky you. Nowadays it would be worth something like a couple of hundred bucks. Once apon a time, EVERYTHING was affordable.
     
  19. Robert

    Robert New Member

    Thanks for the link GDJMSP. Very nice.
     
  20. I Palindrome I

    I Palindrome I Senior Member

    Actually 1793 if memory serves. Chain Large Cents, etc.

    And some consider the 1792 Half Disme to be a circulation issue rather than a pattern IIRC.
     
  21. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    I stand corrected regarding the cents - forgot about those. As for the half dimes in circulation - according to the Red Book they weren't even minted until 1795, including the ones dated 1794. The 1792 issues, all 1500 of them, are considered patterns in the Red Book.

    Now there may well be some who think differently - I just go by the Red Book.
     
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