I found what looks to be a penny, from 1785. On the one side it says "Nova Constellatio", and on the other side it says "Libertas et Justitia." It appears someone worn, but in good condition. It's been in my dad's coin collection for years. Wondering what exactly it is, and if it's worth anything. Thanks
Welcome to the forum hulkster. If its genuine - and be aware that there are far more fakes than real ones out there - depending on grade/condition it could be worth quite a bit. There are two main vaireties of the 1785 Constellatio, known as the "blunt ray" and "pointed ray" types. If you can post a picture of both sides, there may be someone who can help attribute and evaluate it. Technically it can be argued both ways as to whether they are "coins". They were privately sturck in Englad, and shipped to New aYork where they entered circulation without any approval by the Confederation or any of the state governments. Since the legends are apparently fully readable, unless it is damaged it should grade at least Very Good, which would make it worth close to $100, and an uncirculated genuine 1785 would be worth at least $2500.
pictures here are some pictures...., they are somewhat washed out, as the date is easier to read than it appears...it's probably a crap coin worth about 50 cents. I'm no expert collector, but my grandpa was. He died before he could teach me the trade though.
I've never seen a real Nova Constellatio, and don't know what diagnostics to use in determining it's validity. Based on the pictures in the Red Book, It's definitely a "pointed ray" example. Grading from a picture is extremely difficulat, but I would call it Very Good, which was listed in the 2003 Red Book at $85 for the most common version, and $250 for a version described as "small, close date". >>Click here<< to read more about this fascinating piece of early American history, and >>click here<< for a CoinTalk discussion on the topic early this year, which includes some information on weight and diameter of these copper coins. The first steps in authentication are always verification of the metal, design, weight, and diameter. Good luck! .
If it is a fake it is a good one. It is not an obvious forgery, so maybe it is worth pursuing and having graded.
update I took the coin to a local guy who who knows a lot about coins. He says he's almost certain it's authentic. He went on to say it's a split grade F/VG 1785 pointed ray...he told me it's estimated value is 140-150 dollars. Sweet find for sure. I contemplated selling it, but I decided to keep it indefinitely.
Very nice find Hulkster, I don't blame you for deciding to keep it. If it had been in my fathers collection I would keep it too. And pass it down someday.
