Found this Large Cent laying on top of my wardrobe. I believe it was a project that I never got around to. Can anyone identify the variety of this large cent? I really enjoy the reverse. Any clue as to a grade on this baby? TYVM ~Jason
Sure wish I could help attribute it, but I don't have the book. Nothing is in the redbook on it either. Though it is a very nice coin. ~Cannyn
I would guess N-5. 84 touch, 1 near bust than denticle, 1 almost over left edge of a denticle. That is my guess and I did not put a lot of effort into. In this case you got lucky because those late date large cents can be difficult. 1845 only has a few varities.
I concur, but would like to see sharper pic of the reverse, to see if the normal die cracks have started.
Thank you very much. I'll try to get a better shot of the reverse. I have no clue when it comes to die cracks.
Is there an online source (with descriptions or images) for determining varieties, or only in expensive books? :| Nice cent btw
Define expensive? I only used the newcomb book and it was cheap - did not open the grellman book and it was a little more expensive.
As for grade I would call it 15/12 for the obverse rim dent, maybe 15/10. I am not aware of an online source, the Grellman book is fantastic but does sell for around $100. I do not have he Newcomb book so I can't speak to how useful it is, but it does sell for half that or less. The problem with any potential online source is that attributing by picture can be extremely difficult...
dang. It has such a nice reverse too. The obverse is really bad with some scratches, and the rim ding. Wish this coin had two grades. Like a 15/40 or something.
I use the Grellman book, and yes it does cost more than some others. That book doesn't have pictures but instead uses a common black ink drawing with the authors marks to illustrate each of the marks he describes in the text. Each author approaches their work a bit differently.
I just did a little more checking and I am pretty sure it's an N5. To confirm you can check for crumbing inside the E in CENT, a lump (which I am pretty sure I can see) on the bottom of N in ONE, and two more lumps on the bottom of E in CENT, see the Holmes coin: http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/lot_auc.php?site=1&sale=62&lot=97 The other possibility I see is the N10 which would not have those diagnostics and would have a crack through the top of UNITED, see the Holmes N10: http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/lot_auc.php?site=1&sale=62&lot=106 In terms of quality the rim dent is what really reduces the net grade here as the couple marks on the obverse are pretty consistent with a f15 coin, without the rim dent it may be either straight 15 or 15/12, but either way those surfaces look pretty nice.
I'm leaning toward N-5 with a chance of it being N-(15). I definitely don't think it is N-10. The clearest diagnostic I can see in the photos is the lump below the base of the N in ONE. It is clearly visible but comes on both reverses (and they are different dies). What I don't see though is the lump in the field under the jaw that is always present on N-(15) and fairly strong because it is an early die state. (Later die state was used on N-10 with the lump still present.)
