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 Replies: 12 / Views: 805 |
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1849 Posts |
I bought this 1808 Classic Head at a local auction here a few years ago. I really liked the quality of the surfaces and the tone, a relatively seldom seem characteristic in Classic Heads. This particular example, an S-277, shows extensive reverse die breaks seen in late die states, as well as a very weak, almost invisible 1st star. For this reason S-277 is nicknamed the "12 Star" variety. Please let me know how you would grade it. Looking forward to your comments.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
Color seems a bit questionable, but I'm by no means on expert on these. I'll say VF-35 detail to be on the safe side. It's a lovely coin.
Edited by fenton
08/25/2022 12:29 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5675 Posts |
Nice coin! The reverse has mid-AU sharpness, but the obverse is weaker with some additional weakness along the date from the misaligned die. I would net it at AU-50 (obviously lower with EAC grading).
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
I could go XF40 but no higher. It appears to be a very nice piece.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6394 Posts |
Obverse looks mid-VF but the reverse seems closer to AU. Color is a bit unusual for a circulated classic large cent but there are no hairlines or other sign of improper cleaning. Eye appeal is strong.
Stars and legends show the stretching from worn dies, which is a common feature seen on bust half dollars. I presume the weak TA in STATES is another characteristic of this variety?
If I had to assign a grade I'd go with XF-40 overall (straight grade). It's a very desirable coin, congrats!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36841 Posts |
This one looks AU-50 to me. Color appears to be original. No telling where this one was stored all these years. Great find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
AU-50+
Extremely nice piece!
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
756 Posts |
looks AU to me. hard to tell for certain. that color is excellent! super nice coin!
the softness on the obverse that many are noticing is how they came from the mint. this variety has severely deteriorated dies. this weakness can make this coin quite challenging to grade.
the planchet stock for classic head cents are terrible. the blanks were purchased from england. the blanks were treated as ballast during shipping and exposed to sea water and environmental damage. they usually come black and pitted. finding a nice tan example is quite difficult.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I'm at a solid XF45, but could see the argument for AU. Knock it a couple grades for EAC standards. Die Deterioration and die cracks/breaks have their place, and it's working well for this one. Thanks for sharing, very cool example! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18689 Posts |
AU50 maybe as high as 53. very difficult coin to find with a nice planchet. here's mine I bought decades ago. it graded VF25 details at PCGS just for comparison. I think they are a little more lenient on these classic heads due to planchet issues.   |
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Pillar of the Community
 Germany
1849 Posts |
Thank you all very much for your comments. They are of great assistance to me when grading this coin. Certainly lots going on with this cent: clash marks, die breaks and die-misalignment. Both Breen and the Red Book mention that the latter is the most probable cause for weakness at the bottom of the obverse, and the corresponding weakness at STATES on the reverse. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
Put me down for AU-50 plus. An original beauty for sure!
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Replies: 12 / Views: 805 |
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Posted 08/25/2022 1:13 pm
