Net Grading a ''Problem" large Cent

So guys, It is 5 am here in the east cost of the US, and I have been awake for 2 hours trying to fall asleep after crossing the big pond. You just cannot cheat jet lag....That meal of fried chicken and pizza we had last night did not help....!

Doug, this was a Spinks-UK coin. If I remember well they graded it 'good fine, but surfaces rather pitted'. In US english that would probably translate as 'very fine, but severely pitted surfaces'..

Hi Mark, well, concerning the prices of 1793 S-9's I would agree with you. Just before I left I checked Heritage archives for S-9's, and they had 40 or so listed. The S-9 is not a rare variety. But none listed sold below $1800 or so, even for those in abominable condition. This coin has problems, but somehow it is appealing too, so it is probably worth about what you estimated.

dougsmit, I collect roman sestertii and dupondii as well, and I agree that collecting ancient bronzes, specially 1st to 2nd century coins, is quite different fromn collecting large US cents. The concept of struck quality, and surface appeal has a totally different meaning with ancients (there are not many US large cents with emerald green patina!). You just have to be much more forgiving when looking for nice sestertii. BUT, there are similarities as well: bronze is always 'warm' and has special appeal, whether 2000 or 200 years old! that is why I collect both.


Regards,

Eduard

 

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Here is my second S-9. This one graded F/FV with light porosity by Bowers & Merena.

Note the weakly struck "LIBERTY" on the obverse. The cataloguer described this as being poorly struck rather than wear. You have to consider such things when grading these large cents, specially those dated 1793-1814

I think the first one I posted is more appealing than this one, even if severely pitted.

 

I'm no "expert" in coppers, but F?

 

That's why I used the word "odds" in my statement, which left it open for a poor strike but the odds are against it.

Ribbit

 

Where is teh slobbering drooling emoticon? Nice coin Eduard. Would love to have either one of them.

 

Fair enough. Just wanted to be sure that it was understood that there is little/no correlation between strike strength and die state, IMO. I'm sure you realize this, but others may not.

 

That can be the case but there are ones where it is the case and Colonial coppers are one of the exceptions, especially Connecticuts.

Ribbit

 

THanks for that tidbit. I don't collect those and was unaware of the correlation between die state and strike strength!