So very early this morning, I'm perusing Craigslist for any new coin ads. I see a posting for an "1864 2 cent coin" supposedly in fine condition. He states that the rims are fine and the date is clear. Asking $20. I whip out my Redbook and read about the small motto/large motto and am IMMEDIATELY intrigued. Shot out a quick email to ask if the coin was still available and pics then went to bed. Later this afternoon I realize that I didn't get an email back so I call the guy. He hears me ask about an 1864 coin and says it's available but apparently I hit a bad patch with the phone signal. I tell him I'll call back. I start driving back into town where I know the signal is perfectly clear and he actually rings me back to say "oh, I know you said 1864 and I thought 'I don't have an 1864'....so I looked on eBay to see what you were talking about then looked back at my coin. I have an 1865, dunno if that matters to you or not. I must've typed it in wrong." :rollling: I said "well, yeah, it matters."
an 1864 Large Motto 2 cent in G4 condition brings around $19, where as a Small Motto can start around $175. 1864 is the only year that did the Small Motto tho.
My guess is he went on eBay to look it up, found out how much it was worth, and backed out of the sale. It happens.
You're all assuming that it was the small motto. There has been no evidence presented one way or the other and since the large motto is MUCH more common, even if it was/is an 1864 it was almost certainly a large motto.
Indeed. I couldn't nail the guy down to send me a pic, which I really would've preferred instead of driving a few towns away only to find a large motto. S'all good, on to the next one!
Craigslist can be a real crapshoot sometimes no matter what you are buying. There are an awful lot of cheapskates trying to unload junk. But, deals are out there if you are patient.
F for the 64, BN, small motto, is $360. F for the 64 BN, is $25, so is the 65 BN. Prices from numismedia.com
