| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,286 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
Really?
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Unsure what you're trying to say here?  |
|
Valued Member
 United States
461 Posts |
Early copper has so many varieties... it can get really expensive... I feel fairly comfortable with silver coins. I am comfortable with grading (I'm not perfect but can generally ballpark it) with silver. The early copper just always throws me. I have spent the last hour browsing ebay trying to compare graded coins with raw ones. It seems harder to do with copper than silver. |
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Ah.  Yeah, from that standpoint, early copper is possibly the most difficult coin to collect. Between generally poor condition, large numbers of varieties, and a truly enthusiastic set of competition, it's not for the faint of heart. |
|
Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
Well this dang forum (and I mean that in a great way) has brought me to start the 7070 quest. I am going to my favorite small coin show in a few weeks and have been studying large cents for days now. I actually feel like I know less now than when I started! This hobby is humbling if nothing else.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Early copper and serious vamming can and should be daunting. It takes a serious effort to become even slightly familiar with either. If you are interested in copper only from a standpoint of the type set I would say just go for the best eye appeal you can afford.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
373 Posts |
One thing that got me about early copper (I collect Half Cents) when I first began is how there are truly ugly, barely recognizable coins going for thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there are also affordable XF/AU/MS examples of each type (post-1800, of course) for type collectors. I do stick with certified coins, though. Counterfeits are bad enough, but it can be very hard to distinguish original and modified surfaces, especially when many of these coins had old cleanings and have re-toned. |
|
Valued Member
United States
77 Posts |
EAC can be difficult to grade, and on top of all the difficulties mentioned, there is also weak strike.
A friend of mine who is considered knowledgeable in these matters has a grading guide that you might find helpful at the uscents site. He also has some pieces for sale at his site of hcraig.
HTH, YMMV
Edited by linxlvr
12/30/2012 4:09 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
Quote:
Early copper has so many varieties.. I've found it easier to determine the varieties of the early copper because there are so many distinctive die features. For example, if the dentils aren't clear you can use other markers. In my opinion the copper cents 1840 and later are harder to figure out because differences are so small. Santa brought me the Grellman book and if the coin isn't of high quality (mine aren't) the job is much harder than with the early cents. Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
 but VERY rewarding! I've found it's a lot easier to go coin by coin and eventually, you'll be close to done (you're never REALLY done!!). |
|
Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Early copper, especially Colonials, can be quite the endeavor.
There are many, many types and sub-types that will keep you busy for a long time to come. This is my main collecting interest, and I'm still being schooled.
swcoin.ecrater.com
|
|
Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
ProfLiz, I think that is part of my problem with these coins. I normally buy raw. I do my homework and look at hundreds if not thousands before a significant purchase (significant for me anyway). I just cannot find a comfort zone. I may have to break down and just buy cert coins for the coppers.
|
|
Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Also keep in mind, some early coppers are plagued with issues (environmental, planchet flaws, strike quality) and the grading of Colonial coins doesn't follow the same criteria as grading Classics and Modern coins. You have several factors to consider when making your final assessment...and some of these could appear as wear and damage when it really is not.
swcoin.ecrater.com
|
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 1,286 |
|
Posted 12/30/2012 01:04 am
