How Many People Collect Canada Small Cents? How Many Collect US Large Cents

I found for the Braided Head Types that the key to attributing them has more to do with the position of the date than anything else. It is not impossible to attribute coins as low as Almost Good for Braided Hair Types; however, for some dates with many Newcomb numbers, it helps to have the denticles visible.

I use the attribution guide books too, but probably my best attribution guide has to be ebay. For me, a photo is really worth a 1,000 words. When you can compare high grade coins side by side using photos, it helps to find those differences that are sometimes not mentioned in attribution guides that help with identifying lower grade coins. If you get stuck go to ebay. Type in the date and go through each Newcomb number. Pay close attention to the date position and the curls and everything around the date. You can rule out most varieties very quickly this way. Next, look at the stars, and see where they point. It helps to have a coin with denticles for this part of the diagnostic. Sometimes there are die breaks or doubled or repunched numbers or letters that help too. Normally, the reverse does not help much for attributing Braided Head Types, but sometimes it does. I normally use the reverse to confirm or as a last resort. Finding a die break can help a lot, but make sure it matches all the other points first. Sometimes a die break is visible or not or may form later. The dies state of wear can actually throw you off because something might have worn off or broken off causing two Large Cents to look different even though they both were minted using the same die.

For earlier Large Cent Head Types, you normally can determine everything from the Reverse even in low grades. This is because these coins were mostly made using hand made dies. However, I do have some problems with certain dates for Classic Head Types especially in lower grades. I also have had a lot of trouble with attributing Modified Matron Head Types (1836 to 1839) even in higher grades.

I know growing up close to the border, Canadian coinage was common enough in change that it was easy to collect sets of the coinage. From circulation, starting in the late 60s and on, I was able to collect a complete set of small cents (except the oldest keys). Although in other denominations, it was difficult to find coins made before 1937.

I collected a set of large Canadian cents, no varieties in presentable condition and a complete set of the circulation small cents to 2012. I have a few oddballs in with the set.
While I put these sets together I went a bit crazy on as many different pre decimal copper coins that circulated in Canada. I just got my coins back from a guy who thought he had them sold for me.
I would guesstimate that I have 325 different half pennies, pennies, tokens, Half Cents, large cents and one cent coin shaped Canadian stuff in that binder and am pretty well satisfied as it sits.

I have a set of Canadian small cents.

I keep all the Canadian cents I find in change, just for the novelty and because they aren't made anymore. I probably have 75% of a date set for QEII, and I have a few from KGVI.

I have maybe 5 very low grade large cents. US Classics don't really draw me in due to the prices involved; much cheaper to collect world or even ancient coins.

I have the US coppers only for the type set that I can afford. I did at one time have what I thought was a full set of Canadian small cents, all 93 years 1920-2012. Was quite proud to have completed it, but alas, one of our Cannuck friends informed me it wasn't complete, I lacked the over 50 different varieties! Became disgusted and sold the darn thing with all the nickels I had started as well, wasn't willing to pay the exorbitant prices for those missing varieties and keys! At least it went to a good home, someone who appreciates them.

I have a full set of Canadian Small cents and a few Canadian Large cents but not a complete set of large cents. Maybe, they are doable compared to US Large Cents.