| Author |
 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,646 |
|
|
New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I'm on this forum because I found a coin I am trying to determine the value of. I went to ebay to look it up and on other websites, but the values are wildly varied for the same coin (same year, same apparent condition). Can someone give me the 101 course on this to help me out? The coin is a 1866 Indian Head penny in a slightly worn condition. Thanks for any help you can offer. |
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
 to the Community! I moved your welcome post to the Main Coin Forum for the proper attention.  |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Yep, prices can vary widely. I recommend that you post photos of the obverse and the reverse. Someone will come along and tell you what you need to know shortly thereafter. |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Oh yeah, to answer your question:
PCGS = Professional Coin Grading Service
MS64 = Mint State 64 (64 out of a possible 70)
RD = red (copper turns dark usually)
I took those abbreviations from one listing on the bay. There is another graded/slabbed coin of the same year that is RB, which means red/brown, and it is selling for less. And then there is BN which is for copper cents that have turned brown.
XF + extra fine, which, as you probably noticed, is nowhere near as new looking at the Mint State coins.
If the slab or the ad copy says "details" is usually means that the coin was cleaned which greatly reduces its value.
Hope that helps.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
Do you think you could post a link to the ad or a picture of the coin? It would make it much easier for the members of the forum to help. If there are abbreviations that you are unsure of, you could check the glossary or post a list of them and someone should be able to help.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
4591 Posts |
There are 17 unslabbed 1866s listed now, so it's hard to pick one to dissect. Some thoughts With circulated Indians, one of the things to look at is the liberty on the headband - a "full liberty" is the sign of a better grade coin. Above that is the tips of the feathers. PGCS (one of the grading services) has a website/app - http://www.pcgs.com/photograde/Compare the pictures (F12, VF30, EF40) with what you are seeing in the for sale pictures. You will find most coins on ebay are over-graded at least two steps (IMNSHO) -----Burton -----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
|
New Member
 United States
1 Posts |
Thanks for all your help guys. Will try to post a pic soon, but don't know if I have a camera that will zoom in and get good detail. I'll try.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Try to remember that on ebay, anyone can ask anything they want for anything. If they want way to much but someone pays it, that is just life. If no one pays it, they can always lower the price. If you want you can ask a million dollars for something worthless. If you get it, great I guess. |
| |
Replies: 7 / Views: 1,646 |
|
Posted 09/30/2013 4:08 pm
