Mystery Of The Missing Rarity 1 US Braided Hair Large Cent 1852 Newcomb 10

While I can't add much or any knowlege here regarding the variety, I will say that I had been watching the coin you posted a few weeks and saw it finally sold a week ago. I considered buying it but chose this n-22 instead because of the luster, but just love the color on yours.. I don't mean to hijack the thread but figured I'd post it here again.

All of this is a reason so few even try to collect Large Cents.

Jon, I also looked at the same coin you have, and considered it. It is truly a beauty. The only reason I didn't jump on it was because I have one from the ISKRA Collection in AU58. And no, you aren't hijacking the thread. I wish other people would post what they have, and talk about the coin.

Condor, I saw the same advertisement, and went right to their website. Couldn't find it there, so I guess I will write, but the problem is that each time I have written, I have never received and answer, unless it was concerning a coin for sale.

There have been many collectors who have been very interested in the minting of these beauties. Following how the dies wear is very interesting. The metals they used back then are nothing like what are available today. The dies tended to wear much more quickly. You can see where the Mint would go in, and work on a die that was starting to wear, trying to extend its life. Many got to the point where the die would start breaking. This is one reason why I want to pick up a copy of the new EAC grading book. I am hoping it also covers dies states.

I collect Early Coppers simply because they are much more interesting than modern coppers. I do have a simple collection of Lincoln Cents, but they have been generally gotten from circulation over the past 30 years. I'm still missing the key dates, and quite a few of the semi-keys, and other scarce dates. But Early Coppers require you to do a little work and research if you really wish to understand just how they were minted. I'm not sure it takes more intelligence, but probably requires just a little bit more curiosity in the person. I was all over the place in my early collecing days. I tried to collect everything, and never got anywhere. Loved the coins I got, but none of the coins stretched my interest to the point where I would sit down and study them. Then I met three wonderful people at the Long Beach Coin and Collectibles EXPO. They were Jack Beymer, Doug Bird, and Tom Reynolds. They took the time to talk with me, and explain many details about the coin, and collecting them in general. Tom sold his outstanding collection a couple years back. Doug Bird has his collection coming up for sale this coming January. I hope I can obtain a copy of his auction catalogue.

Gary, Thanks so much for the tip. Way back in the early 70's I drove up to Hollywood, California, or some city near there to visit an auctioneer about catalogues. Unfortunately they didn't just give them away. I think that even back then it cost me $10-15 for one, which back in those days was a lot of money.

I found a response from Bob Grellman in my mail this morning. He said:

"I think your analysis is on target. 52N10 is a tough variety in 40-58 grades.
The overall rarity rating is 2+ but it's very close to R3.

My condition census for the variety is 65-63(5)-62(2)-60(4)-58(2). So getting a mint state
example is doable but not easy relative to most varieties of the year.

I commend your use of the Frankenfield and Holmes auction catalogs. And the Robbie Brown (Superior)
6/3/02 & Ted Naftzger (Goldberg) 9/7/09 catalogs can be helpful as well. I wrote all of them so
I may be a bit prejudiced.

Don't give up on finding a nice 45-58 grade of the N10. And don't settle for lesser quality.
Quality is key. Junk will always go begging in the marketplace but quality will always have eager buyers.

Good luck. And don't hesitate to contact me if you have more questions. Happy collecting."

Bob

So, it looks like the rating I gleaned of Rarity 1, isn't quite what it should be. And it looks like
the rarity rating goes way up to about a 6 or 7 when talking about higher grades. On top that, when you
want something considered Choice, that rarity level probably goes up to an 8, as not even those graded
by TPG companies take into account how a coin looks, unless it has a major problem.

I guess the word is vigilance. Just keep at it, looking for the coin you desire in your collection.
Good luck, and enjoy the hunt.

CaleyAnn

edweather, Yes, an AU53 would be a wonderful acquisition. Of course, there are scudzy, Average and Choice versions found in that grade. I would much prefer the coin to be at least Average, but preferably Choice. I think CAC was a good Idea at one time, but I have seen CAC rated coins that I just cannot figure out how that coin deserved the sticker. I thought the coins were supposed to be the best of the best for a certain grade. Guess I am wrong, and a coin only needs to be Average.

If you ever need anything from Chris let me know and I will shoot him a text or PM.