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Message:: [QUOTE="Eduard, post: 2661648, member: 8959"]Your question has many answers, but one of them is certainly the thrill of the hunt and being able to find a scarce die varieties for a certain date. I cannot speak for Newcomb varieties, but for large cents dated 1793-1814 where the Sheldon numbers apply, there are in total something like 280 varieties (give or take).Sheldon ranks the relatively scarcity of each variety from R-1 (over 2000 specimens known), all the way to R-8 (1-3 known).  As of R-6 (13 to 30 known) or more properly R-7 (4-12 known), these are also called NC-varieties (for non-collectible). These are so scarce that only few collectors will ever find them. I do not have any in my collection, but do have a few R-5s or better.  For die-hard early large cent collectors it is a thrill to find anything R4+ or higher, and many would prefer an R-5 or above, even in low grade, to an R-1 in true EF condition. I know I would. To make matters even more interesting, some people even collect die-wear states within a single variety. So it all depends what you are after: If you are a type collector, then normally one would be happy with a well preserved specimen, regardless of the variety and scarcity.  If you are a large cent devotee, however, then varieties normally do matter. And yes, a 1798 cent in MS condition is a very desirable coin, even if'only' rated R-1 !![/QUOTE]