1794 Half Cent what Cohen variety is this? and condition?

Bought it today and cant tell which variety I have, im not too up on half cents and have been reading what I can on coin facts but I digress to the experts here!
Im quite excited about this purchase today and love sharing!

mlgdave

 

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Well, it's either a C-2a (small edge letters) or C-2b (large edge letters). If you could take a picture of the edge lettering, I could tell you for sure.

The C-2a is R3, but the C-2b is a considerably more rare R6 (11 known specimens).

However, the shape of the 1[7]94 and the large size of the denticles has me worried...possible fake.

For instance, the date should span ten (10) denticles and yours spans eight (8). Liberty should span twenty-three (23) denticles and yours spans ninteen (19).

I'm not saying 100% it is a fake, but there are some inconsistencies that give me pause. I'll be very interested to see what others post.

 

I can't help with the rarity questions, but these & the old one cents are my absolute favorites. Great find! Congrats!

 

also bought a BUNCH of civil war tokens in this batch and some older large cents, etc, wheres a good place for CW tokens?

 

Thanks! C-2a (small edge letters)

Btw...you might not want to handle like that.

 

This is a good place to start...post 'em up! I'm sure the token gurus will point you in the right direction. I have a couple dozen tokens and the guide book...that's about it.

I might be able to help with the large cents, though.

 

ok, thanks yak, so if its genuine what would you (and I wont of course hold you to it) value it at? and who would I send it to?

mlgdave

 

ok, thanks again, I have a few in great condition, all these came in from 1 collector including the 1/2 cent

I will post the one I think most valuable and see what the consensus is!

mlgdave

 

No offense, but unless half cents are different from large cents I would say just the spacing of the 4 to bust and liberty to the head preclude this from being a C-2. I do not know half cents and all the markers, but this coin looks closer to the C-9 variety - just glancing at this heritage auction http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1184&lotNo=1046. I did not go through all the varieties on heritage - since I do not have a book this all best guess.

 

Oh CRAP!!! You did it to me again! I forgot they used the heavy wreath in the later Cohen varieties so I didn't even check.

This also accounts for the shape of the 1[7]94 and the denticle count.

Great catch Mark! :bow:

 

Well...you might want to listen to Mark about grade...I'm too busy wiping egg off my face.

I would guess F-16 details...but there appears to be a bit of environmental damage (verdigris) on both sides. A dose of Verdi-Care™ might help...can't hurt.

Retail value? It's hard to say...$500? ...maybe more. Clean up the verdigris and see what it looks like.

 

well isnt that great to hear! Ok, cool, I am a relative (let me say REALLY new) to coin collecting/buying. I own a store and buy lots that come in off the street. Verdi-Care? I will look it up, I though cleaning coins was a no no so I will do some looking. Also in this batch was an 1865 2 cent piece thats gotta run at least MS 63 IMO

mlgdave

 

Cleaning coins is a no-no.

I'm not really sure how to describe Verdi-Care™...it was developed and produced by a CT member (BadThad) and sold through coin shops and eBay.

It's more of a preservative. It arrests the spread of verdigris and, in my experience, actually clears much of it up over time...with multiple applications for tough cases. It looks like you have a tough case. It does its work without leaving a residue. I've used it on a number of coins and it works great!

 

OK...bragging rights require pictures...

 

I know a guy that would love to come work for you...his name is "Detecto".

 

Ok, now that I have these close up piks maybe not an MS63, but high grade none the less

 

Thanks for the heads up on that, I just bought some on Ebay, i am going to get into coins a lot more. Im more of a natural gold specimen specialist and branched into coins!

mlgdave

 

Is your camera putting that greenish tint on your pictures? I was looking at your tokens on the other thread and they have it, too. Do your coins look like this "in hand"?

This is XF-45 "at least"...nice pickup!

 

Cool! I would like to see your natural gold...sounds interesting!