My first Massachusetts copper

100% agree. The NGC coin has considerably more wear, far less details, looks much darker, and has a rough texture. Ignoring price completely (I don't know what values on these are), judging solely by the pictures, the PCGS coin is *considerably* nicer.

Literally the only thing I can say about the NGC coin is that the date is complete and clear, which it is not on the PCGS coin.

 

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Going strictly by the attractiveness of the coins and the price, I would have probably passed on both of them. The PCGS coin is more attractive: It retains more reverse detail, has better color, and aside from what appear to be obverse near-rim planchet flaws at K6 to K 9 and weakish obverse strike around the edges, it's just a prettier coin.

The NGC coin has a less attractive darker toning, retains less detail on both obverse and reverse, has what appears to be a rough field but is better struck particularly around the obverse edge.

When I'm faced with a choice like this, I usually pass while waiting for a better example. But, if forced to choose, I would have picked the PCGS coin since I think its positives outweigh the positives of the NGC coin. I also think the PCGS coin's negatives are less negative than the NGC coin.

Price: Once I've made a purchase, I seldom think about the price ever again. The pleasure of a low price dissipates much faster than the regret of having purchased a less-desirable coin.

That's all just my personal opinion. If your feelings about the coin you selected are more positive, and especially if the coin in-hand looks better than posted, then you probably made the right choice.

Anyway, I like the Mass cents and half cents a lot. I think it is one of the better designed and struck pre-Federal state coins. Any Mass state coin is better than no Mass state coin.

 

I would have paid a bit more for the Pcgs. I’d have potentially bought the ngc for resale. But the pcgs would have been for me I like eye appeal. That’s why I’m not afraid to step up for a pretty coin. But I won’t pass a good deal either

 

My example. I’ve had it for years

 

Just a note, my half cent is a struck counterfeit...

 

I bought this one for $100 raw back in the mid 1980s. NGC called it "EF-45," which it isn't, but it does have good color and surfaces. This is the kind of color and surfaces you want to see for these coins in VF and better.

 

Yes, there are some "nice looking" struck copies of the Massachusetts copper. The "trouble" with them is that they look too good, thank goodness.

I am surprised that some of these haven't been "aged" and sold for the real thing.



Here is an AU-58 example of the real thing.

 

For comparison sake here is a VF25 I bought in Heritage a few months ago for $552. The smooth surfaces were a big draw for me. A bit of a stable and original greenish tinge on the obverse and the rest glossy brown. I would be curious to hear opinions. I do think that the OP’s PCGS example is a cut above in everything but the price.

 

I don't like the 1st coin at All!
Not one bit.
I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere!
I do not like them, sam-i-am.

For one thing the 1st coin does not have a clear date. Even Vertigo's fr-02 1788 has a readable date.

 

Terrific looking coins!! Wow. Only usually see dug specimens.
Now you have to get started on the CT. Coppers. Those are challenging to figure out!

 

Yeah. I know. I've gotten a Fugio and a 1787 CT copper. I have the Fugio in my media, but I'll have to dig out my CT copper and take pics. Hopefully it's in good shape!
I have a former friend who has had excellent luck. He's gotten Fugio's, a Nova, Mass. Coppers plus more!!

 

Sorry for your loss man. That's a nice feat! I saw one Pine tree dug at a "Natural hunt" once. I didn't find squat that day. Ughh!
Anyways. Check out my Media for Fugio Pics.! LOL.

 

A few observations.

When I was a dealer at a show, and a potential customer asked me if he could take a coin to another dealer to ask his opinion, I was almost certain it would be thumbs down, and I was almost always right. Other dealers are out to sell you coins, and it’s natural for them to be tougher on the competition’s product. It’s better if you can get an opinion from an experienced fellow collector “who does not have a dog in the fight.”

Better still is to have the expertise and confidence to form your own opinion. I have sometimes taken the advice of others and later regretted it.

Second, I know I have more resources than some, but I try to buy the coin “right” the first time and have a coin that is a “keeper.” Upgrading can get expensive because when you trade a coin to a dealer for something better, it’s usually your wholesale price against his retail price.

If the price difference is not that much, I’m going for the better, more expensive coin. Unless the next grade up involves spending significantly more, I am going for the better coin.

There are pieces that I call “threshold coins.” They are in the highest grade before the prices go nuts. I tend to buy those except in those instances when it’s a really important coin in my collection. Then I might pay the high price to get a coin that really pleases me now and well into the future.

 

The Amateur. The coin is a bit weaker but the date is clear, I like it. Thanks.