1852 Large Cent N-23 Values

I don't have CQR but I have the new Penny Prices. Noyes lists the 1852 N-23 in VF20 at $75 (doesn't have prices for lower than VF20). Noyes also lists this as an R5.

I think $100 for this in Fine is way over priced. Generally speaking (for late dates particularly from the 1850's) the coin needs to be an EAC VF20 or better to be truly collectible (which translates into VF30-EF40 in TPG standards). So based on Noyes a EACVF20 = TPG VF30 = $75. For one in Fine, I wouldn't pay more than what one would pay for a common variety. If the variety was R7, that's a different story, but then again, only if I collected these by variety and I wasn't concerned too much about the cost now vs trying to find one unattributed. I think one of the problems with collecting the late date series by variety (with the exception of the early Petite Heads 1840-43) is that there are so many and it is extremely tedious to attribute them in low grades. This depresses the market so to speak of the rare varieties in lower grades because not enough people are even trying to find them to drive up demand (I think there are exceptions with R6 and higher). I'm not sure this will ever change.

I don't really use Coinfacts for rarity of large cents. Who knows how they came to those conclusions. Or when. I would consult CQR or Penny Prices or email Bob Grellman for his opinion on the rarity of N-23 for a up to date opinion (Bob's book lists it as R6- when it was published). Bob is very responsive to info requests if you are interested in more information and he helped me attribute a tougher one in my collection.

And since they are owned by PCGS they may be using PCGS's rarity scale which has nothing to do with the commonly accepted Sheldon rarity scale.

I forgot to add that I pulled the R.6 rarity designation off the Goldberg web site. I've heard that it's J.R. Grellman who does their attributions.