Early American Coppers

You would get fellowship - shared information, support and encouragement - with quite possibly the most hardcore, fanatical devotees of a sub-genre of numismatics ever created. They're so dominant in their niche that the large auction houses offer "EAC grades" in addition to the grade on the slab for their Early Copper auctions; EAC is brutally honest in their grading standards. They're also very fair in their dealings; they sell in accordance with their own grading and the Condition Census, not the grading of the TPG's. A PCGS MS65 Large Cent is very likely an EAC AU58-MS60. If you're serious about Early Copper, spend the money to join EAC.

Early Copper and Bust Halves are the two issues I'd consider it imperative to become part of the relevant club, although membership in the Bust Half Nut Club is a bit....difficult.

I'm joining up finally after 25+ years of fascination with early copper coins of the US and colonies. Should have done this years ago if not decades ago. DOH!

Pennywise is their publication, you will get, also entry to their forum for posting and seeing the photos. above what others above have already mentioned.

Wish they offered online subscriptions, seems like many of the EAC members and dealers are quite old fashioned and still use typed mailed price lists only.

No Kidding!!



BHNC Membership Requirements

To be considered for BHNC membership, candidates must:

Be sponsored by a current BHNC member in good standing. This can best be accomplished by personal contact, and getting to know that member. This is of the utmost importance, as we have had members in the past who later proved that they did not join for the best interest of the organization.


Own at least 100 different die marriages by Overton attribution. Note: Multiple die states or documented sub-varieties count as one die marriage. This has been further modified to allow members who only collect the early flowing hair and draped bust type half dollars by lowering the requirement to 30 examples to reflect the added costs incurred in collecting these types

Be genuinely interested in upgrading or adding new die marriages to their set.

Have their collection attributed and graded by their sponsoring member(s) to verify the die marriages and grades on their application.

Furnish, with their application, a listing of halves currently owned; by date, die marriage, and grade.

Furnish, with their application, a check for $50 made payable to BHNC ($25 application fee plus $25 first year membership fee).

Furnish, with their application, a signed Confidentiality Undertaking in regards to the membership roster and census.

Undergo a 30-day review period by the current members before being accepted into the club.

Furnish to the Census Keeper, on a semi-annual basis, a listing of halves currently owned; by date, die marriage, and grade.

Most importantly, the prospective member must be full of the "fever" and of course "nuts" for Bust Halves!

Other benefits from EAC is our own annual convention and sale. Anyone can attend the convention but you have to be a member to participate in the sale. And every two years the members are provided with an updated DVD/CD-ROM of all of the issues of Penny-Wise. That's over 10K pages of articles, plus an index, plus all the sale catalogs. And it is searchable.