Please share some opinions on the grade and value of this 1798 draped bust cent. If anyone can identify the variety of this coin that would be nice as well. Thanks fellow CoinTalkers!
$95? That's all you see it bringing at auction. That's like G-4 money. So I take it you grade the coin G-4? Can I get a few other opinions please.
At a very quick glance, could be higher than a G-4, if it's an S-150 or S-151; someone who can readily pull reference could confirm or not. Using reverse as guidance, VG-8 maybe F-12...
Like I said: "But I dont know these very well." This is not my series at all and I only have a couple of these. I like them and think they are great but just don't know that well. There are plenty of people here that do know about this series.
I would probably net it out to VG-8 and the price would be between $90 to $130. No books to get the variety which could make a difference.
It sounds like you guys feel the reverse of this coin is a little nicer than the obverse. That's interesting as I do not really see that. To me, the obverse and reverse look equable. I actually think the date is the sharpest and most distinct feature of this piece. Maybe because it looks to me to have been the most well-struck area of the coin and because, as is so often the case with these coins, the date is usually one of the weaker areas. I will admit though that one of the biggest problems with this coin is the lack of hair detail on the obverse. The other major flaw is on the reverse in that the fraction is somewhat weak or "ghost-like". I'm still thinking that overall the coin might by nice enough to call a VG-10. But these coins are tough to grade in that so many of them seem to wear in such different ways.
Gopher - That was precisely my point. Your specimen has a very strong date in comparison to a very weak bust on the obverse. An S-150 or S-151 has a very weak bust, yet still has strong date and motto. If you refer to The Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins, Bressett, Whitman Publishing, (c)2006, pg.76, you will see the following guidance:"The characteristic traits listed here to assist in grading must not be confused with actual wear: ... 1798, S-150 and S-151: entire bust is very weakly struck. ..." This is why I deferred to the reverse for primary assessment. If you don't have the book, and wish to pursue large cents, I kindly recommend at least attaining a copy of this, if not more. IMO just using Red Book guidance doesn't cut it. If you'd like me to cite the guidance pursuant to F-12 and VG-8 grades, I'd be happy to... Hope this helps :thumb: - CheetahCats
I'm calling it a solid F-12. you can tell the bust is struck weakly, it has all the details i need to see to make it a F. Great looking coin, i love large cents that just have good honest ware with no pitting
http://www.largecents.net/collection/1798drbust.html ...here is a great website for anyone interested in identifying their 1798 large cent variety (thank you Google). After close examination of these coins and my coin I have concluded that my coin is most likely S-176 (R-4). I can definitely rule out the S-150 and S-151 coins because those are both overdate (1798/7 varieties) which my coin clearly is not. What do you guys think? S-176??
If graded as a F-12 using strict EAC grading standards, Copper Quotes by Robinson lists a Sheldon-176 F-12 in average condition at $1,500 ($650 if VG-8) However, the die cud beneath the date makes me wonder if it is a S-176 as neither the early or middle die states show that cud. I do agree that it is not a S-150 or S-151.
No, unfortunately I do not. The hair curl on the back of Liberty's head, underneath the tail, doesn't match.
I see what you're saying but I still think it's a match. Unless my coin is a different variety not mentioned on that page then I don't see what else it could be. This variety is described as being identified by the unique shape of the date. And my date looks just like the one pictured. The dentils surrounding my coin are also strong and weak in the same areas as the S-176 pictured.
