1809 Half Cent O Inside 0

Hi Moe,
So, I presume you are an early copper fan. Thanks for all the photos of your cool coins!

Here is an image of a "circle inside 0" coin graded PCGS VF-30. It sold on Heritage in 2008 for $747.50 which is well above even Red Book value. I guess these aren't very common. You can see the "circle" but it's not extremely obvious. The example you show does appear to be the same type based on the shape of the date numerals but it is corroded, perhaps to the point that the circle has become invisible. If you can't see the circle, it's not worth paying a premium for the coin. I wouldn't buy a corroded Half Cent or large cent unless it was an outstanding bargain, but that's just my prejudice showing.

The 1809 0/smaller 0 is C-4 an R-2 or common variety. The 0/0 is usually visible but there is a much easier way to identify the variety, especially on lower grade coins. Look on the reverse at the point of the highest leaf of the wreath. None of the other five varieties have the leaf point more than midway between the S and the O. On C-4 it almost reaches the O See picture of rev of C-4