Half Cents & Large Cents: What To Look For/Beware Of

I'm far from an expert on early copper, but from what I've read, it seems like both NGC and PCGS quite often will "Details" a lot of early copper due to "color" issues. Speaking only for myself, I will only buy slabbed coins to avoid the risk of buying counterfeit coins, raw coins that will come back as "Detailed", and raw coins that will come back in a lower grade than anticipated. On these points (especially the latter point), critics will say I need to learn to grade. But even though I know grading, it's still subjective, so grading disappointments will still occur. Finally, having slabbed coins will make it SO MUCH EASIER for you (or your heirs) to sell that coin when it comes time for that to happen.

One other point, which you've hinted at regarding color: with coins with a BN designation, there's a wide range of colors, even in slabs. Decide what YOU prefer. However, I believe "The Market" prefers lighter to medium "Milk Chocolate" colors, as opposed to the darker/blacker colors. While the lighter colors will cost more, you should also receive more when selling.

With RB colors, coins qualify for this designation if they have as little as 5% red, and as much as 95% red. As you'd imagine, the more red, typically the higher the cost, everything else being equal. As such, decide what YOU like, and can afford.

Since these coins are so old, you have to be a little more forgiving with surface marks and "distractions". Regardless, try to buy coins that are mainly "problem free", and don't have distractions that immediately draws ones eyes to them.

Keep in mind copper is VERY environmentally sensitive, so colors can change, even in slabs. Store them in cool and dry environments. If you can afford it, Intercept Shield offers many products that could protect these coins, even in slabs. If you buy these protective products, keep in mind they only protect for about 10 years, so they'll have to be replaced periodically.

While many members of EAC have several significant differences of opinion with the Third Party Graders, it's an organization you should consider joining if you're putting together a set of Half Cents and/or Large Cents. Their members can offer you a TON more information than I have here.

I hope you found this helpful

Steve

That's great advice from kanga!

I think I broke every one of those rules. I wish I had been more careful in choosing my Half Cents early on. I still have some ugly coins that I wish I had not bought, and waited for a nicer one. I was in too big of a hurry to fill the spaces. Patience is important in assembling a nice collection.

Good advice from Winesteven also about joining EAC (Early American Coppers). You will learn a lot there.

I got this one by NOT following kanga's rules.


On this one I followed kanga's rules.

I'm an EAC member.
I'm slowly converting to their grading methods.
But that's hard for me since I'm a serious NGC/PCGS believer.

EAC grading is very strict. I joined EAC back in the 1980's when I started my Half Cent collection. I think realistic grading for early copper is somewhere between EAC and PCGS which I think is is too lenient. But that's just my opinion.

That will be a nice set Collects82.

You can find nice low grade draped bust Half Cents that have good eye appeal. I have a low grade 1807 in an early die state with a mis-aligned obverse die. It's one of my favorites and wasn't expensive.

I found the pictures of the low grade 1807. I always thought it was attractive for such a low grade coin.

Some truly excellent advice here. I will offer an alternate point of view though. Not every collector wants to acquire just 1 or 2 coins a year and some of this comes down to owning that piece of history and an example of a coin you might not be able to afford in a higher grade or not wanting an example you can afford in the very lowest grades that is barely discernible as far as detail. All to say, in some instances, I think there is nothing wrong with acquiring a Details grade (tooled coins aside) that has nice eye appeal and nicely represents the coin type. It's all individual choice and again, it's hard to quibble with the old adage of "buying the best coin you can afford." But when it comes to early copper, sometimes that may be a Details grade. Anyhow, to each his own pursuits. Everyone enjoys this hobby differently. Happy collecting!

I'll offer my standard pitch here. In today's market, eye appeal is more important than technical grade. A VF-35 with strong eye appeal likely will be a better coin than an ugly EF-45. If you have to use the word "but" in your assessment of the coin, take a hard pass.

Just my two half-cents worth.

On a related note, here is one of the early coppers I acquired which is a 1794 Large Cent, VF Details with Environmental Damage which in this instance is due to corrosion. The Details coin provided me an attractive, reasonably priced option for my type set where normally I would have left the 1794 hole empty. The corrosion was pretty evenly distributed and it had reasonable detail with nice eye appeal. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder/collector. :)