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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,597 |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
I am searching for an 1869 overdate Indian Head cent. Looking at ebay photos, it is difficult to tell if some of these coins are actually overdates. Can anyone educate me on how to determine the authenticity of these coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
716 Posts |
I would only look at certified coins, esp. in the higher grades, given the cost. At least then you will be sure of authenticity. The problem on ebay is that some of the pictures are so poor that the overdate is difficult to see.
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Valued Member
 United States
134 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
16681 Posts |
Yeah, pretty tough coin. beaglebaileys advice is good ;)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
One reason it is so tough to see is because there is no real 1869 overdate. There is a repunched date, and there are dies where chipping closes the bottom curve of the 9.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
That coin is one of those irritating things that is really horrible to distinquish. One dealer told me it was really an 8 over 9. Another dealer said it was a 9/9 sort of like Conder101 said. I've seen many raw ones at coin shows and would think I'd need a 50 thousand power Electron Microscope to see what is ment by 9/9 or 9/8 or whatever. I ended up getting one in a slab for my Album since there is a slot for that thing. Even the one in the slab was almost impossible to see. Best keep away from ebay for that one.
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Valued Member
 United States
134 Posts |
I do not know where I found this picture--maybe right in this forum--and I hope it isn't against the rules to post this picture, but this might shed light on the subject, if it turns out alright. 
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Valued Member
 United States
134 Posts |
Conder101, Are you saying that when the coin was originally minted, chipping closed the bottom of the curve, or are you saying that when the coin was repunched, the second die was chipped and closed the bottom of the curve of the nine?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
During use the die chipped and joined the ball of the 9 to the curve above it. You can see on the picture you posted above the chip between the ball and the upper loop. That coin it a repunched date showing an 1869/69.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,597 |
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