I like this, but I don't really know what I'm looking at. Pretend I don't know anything about large cents. Why do you like this coin? What attracted you to it? Why did you buy it? How does it compare to others of it's grade? How do the spots under the chin, in front of the mouth, and above the Cent affect the grade/value? How does this fit into your collection? Do AU copper cents of this era not display luster? I'd expect an AU coin to have luster? Or do the photographs not show it? The strike in the hair/stars/wreath seems weak? Is that typical of these coins?
GENERAL STATEMENT: This coin falls in the category of EAC (Early American Copper). EAC covers US Mint-struck half cent and large cent copper coins from 1793 through 1857. I believe it also includes Colonial and Post-Colonial issues (pre-US Mint), but those items are outside of my interest area. "Why do you like this coin?" -- For the date and time period AU is a better grade than 20th century AU coins. "What attracted you to it?" -- Surfaces quite clear of physical digs/scratches. "Why did you buy it?" -- See the previous two responses PLUS I needed it for my set (Matron Head Large Cents). "How does it compare to others of it's grade?" -- IMO it's better than others of that grade. "How do the spots under the chin, in front of the mouth, and above the Cent affect the grade/value?" -- Minor issue. "How does this fit into your collection?" -- It's a variety of 1828 Matron Head Large Cents that I didn't have (and only my second 1828). "Do AU copper cents of this era not display luster? I'd expect an AU coin to have luster? Or do the photographs not show it?" -- Luster is rarely encountered on copper coins of this era. "The strike in the hair/stars/wreath seems weak? Is that typical of these coins?" -- IMO, yes. Between die steel and obtainable striking pressures this coin is a bit above average for its grade.
