The Effects of Rarity when Pricing US Cents and Half Cents

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by kanga, Jun 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM.

  1. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    My interest area is collecting US cents and half cents by variety.
    My problem is valuing different varieties, particularly when bidding in auctions.

    To identify half cent varieties I use Ed Fuhrman's three volume set plus Ronald Manley's book on half cent die states.
    To identify one cent varieties I use William Noyes' six volume set, John Wright's book, John Grellman's book, and Thomas Walker's two volume set.

    Once I identify a coin by Variety (if I can), then I can attach the Rarity factor to the coin as stated in the resources mentioned above.
    Next I do my best to grade the coin (coins slabbed by the top TPGs helps a LOT there).

    Now comes the valuing step.

    Fuhrman indicates that coins with R1 and R2 rarities are pretty much the same in value.
    Rarity R3 might nudge the value up a bit, and after that the rarity becomes more significant.

    NOW COMES THE TOUGH PART
    How to actually price a coin.

    Right now I use the GREYSHEET.
    The have a nice spread of prices in steps from grades of AG-3 through MS-65.
    Based on my current experiences that seems to work out reasonably well.
    If I'm looking at a coin graded XF-45, and the Greysheet has values for grades XF-40 and AU-50, I'll go with the average of those two prices and then add 10 percent (or so) for S&H.

    Unfortunately the Greysheet generally doesn't include prices for each specific variety.

    EXAMPLE:
    1804 half cents have 13 different varieties but only shows 5 values.
    They group some that broadly the same but give only one value.
    One group is the "Spiked Chin" for which there are 4 distinct varieties.
    And the Rarity values for that group range from R1 to R4.
    It's up to the buyer to come up with their own price.

    MY QUESTION:
    Is there a source that gives a more complete breakdown of pricing relative to grade and particularly variety?
     
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  3. -monolith-

    -monolith- Supporter! Supporter

    My head is spinning. Luckily I only collect ancients, we don't have price guides. It's worth what someone purchases it for at that time.
     
  4. mark_h

    mark_h Somewhere over the rainbow

    I think people like EAC use Copper Quotes by Robinson, but I seem to recall something else and newer. I am not sure what else EAC might use, but it might be worth reaching out to them.
     
  5. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    I collect Bust Halves, which I realize is a slightly different beast, but similar problem.

    Honestly, the best way is to compare past auction sales. I use Heritage because it is one of the biggest, and they list rare varieties so they are searchable. For Bust coinage, there is a compilation of past auction sales compiled by Steve Hermann (you have to buy it, and I haven't bought one because I am not that serious into the varieties).

    I wonder if there is a similar compilation for the series you collect?
     
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