I'm reposting this as a thread (today's my first day on the website, so I'm clueless about the procedures. Sorry for the repetition). This 1855 copper large cent (??) has an obverse and reverse that appear to be identical to the Half Eagle design of that era, not the Braided Hair large cent. It is clearly dated, but the denomination on the reverse has been mechanically removed...looks like scratch marks. Any ideas? I'm stumped. I'm attempting to load a photo. Hope it works.
Usually you will get an answer by posting your question once. Multiple threads creates confusion. Your "coin" is probably a fantasy piece. Notice the denomination on the reverse has been scratched off, perhaps to allow the coin to circulate as a cent. Is your piece the same diameter and weight as a genuine Large Cent? BTW, welcome to CoinTalk.
I'd say you have a contemporary counterfeit eagle that has not been gold plated. Then whoever had it removed the Ten D from the reverse and passed it as a cent. (Difference in diameter between the two is only .5 mm.) Another possibility is that it might have been a game counter for a ten dollar piece and the makers name has been scratched off by someone who was going to try plating it and passing it as an eagle.
Interesting! I do know that it has been in this collection at least since the late 1920's or early 30's since it belongs to a collection that has long been lying dormant. The diameter is 27.5 mm. The counterfeit explanation makes sense, because the reverse is rotated slightly. Anyway, I won't spend any more time on it, but do appreciate your thoughts.
Look closely and DON'T give up without at least 2 expert opinions. The 1855 large cent planchet is indeed 27.5 mm and fits and has a plain edge; however, it is the Eagle which is the closest match with a diameter of 27 mm in 1855 and is of the same design as both the Half Eagle and your coin, though scaled up to size and the Eagle had a reeded edge. I do not dispute that it is most likely a fantasy piece, but it has enough characteristics for further investigation. The first thing I would do is check the edge and photograph it and post if possible. Then we need to determine if the edging on the 1855 Eagles was part of a separate castaining process or used a collar as part of the striking process. Though rare, wrong planchet errors exist and are quite valuable if authenticated. Rotation is irelevant to the issue.
Unfortunately, after checking with Heritage Auction records, the design is different from the 1855 Eagle which has a shorter neck and a star left of the crown where your coin has the longer neck and a star immediately above the crown point. This pretty well eliminates a wrong planchet possibility. It is coincidental that the Reverse still shows remnants of TEN D. though an attempt has been made to scratch it off. The obverse portrait actually looks closer to the style of 1866-1907.
Thanks for your thoughts, Marshall. Out of curiosity, I did check the edge, and it is reeded. Hmm. Interesting.
