Large Cent Questions From A Complete Newbie

Well Duncan you started off on the right foot by asking the community here. There are several large cent experts, myself included who can help. Your first resource should be the RedBook. It lists the different types and the major varieties. It also goes into a brief history of each type. Unfortunately most books on large cents are expensive and geeky.
My personal advice is to root around on the forum here, especially the grading section.
For a coin in VF-to AU I recommend the Braided Hair series. They are common and plentiful and generally affordable. They can also be found in high grades without breaking the bank.
Many of the earlier series are not so common and one can't afford really high grades unless of course you have a trust fund.
Lastly I will warn you that copper gets in your blood stream. Once you get hooked you'll want to collect little else.
Good luck on your large cent adventure.

Do you mean this show?

https://goccf.com/t/208606

A few CCF members plan to go.

Large cents were struck without collars until 1836 just like the rest of U.S. coinage. After 1836 closed collars were used and the diameter of the coins became uniform.
A lot of Dansco 7099 collectors are frustrated by the fact that pre 1836 large cents have diameters that are all over the place and they don't fit so well into their albums. This of course is due to the broad struck planchets. The edges of pre 1836 large cents are rounded and after 1836 they are much more square.

I agree with what's been said - you can buy the later dates 1839 and on in VF-EF grades very inexpensively. Take your time searching for the right ones because much of the joy in collecting is in the search.




Celticsoul is correct and I got hooked on the early years mostly because the dies were made by hand and there was so much variation in each year.

Sometimes ugly is beautiful and that's my attraction to old copper. Poor quality copper, corrosion, and heavy usage. I have stretched my budget many times to buy less than perfect 179x cents

You won't go wrong talking to copper-specific dealers with EAC affiliation. There's always bad apples but I've found EAC guys to be such straight dealers across the board that I'm willing to generalize a favorable opinion of them.

As an EAC member myself I find it best to buy copper from EAC affiliated dealers rather than regular coin dealers in general. When you're at the show and looking for large cent dealers be honest with them and tell them you're looking for a type piece and they'll help you out.

Tom Reynolds (highly recommended) more than likely will not be at this show. He has a website also.
He has some of the finest raw Large Cents (all grade ranges) I have ever seen. Extremely ethical and fair as well.
But yeah, stick with early copper dealers and you'll be fine. As mentioned, most are willing to work with your budget and wants.
Have fun!