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 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,829 |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Hi all, Aside from pulling out silver coins and wheat pennies, I haven't been much of a coin collector. My uncle recently passed away and found his coins. One, wrapped in paper, was a 1804 US Half Cent. I tried looking this coin up online, but there seem to be several varieties (Cohen 2, 3, ....) and I can't figure out what the difference is between the varieties, other than the obvious--my coin is "smushed" above the "RTY" in LIBERTY. I've looked at several pictures and I can't discern a difference (other than the smush) between the varieties. Could someone explain what I am supposed to be looking for? I will post a picture once I read the string about taking pictures of coins--all of my attempts thus far aren't showing any detail. Once I master that, I'd like to figure out what kind of shape another of my uncle's coins is (1798 One Cent). Many thanks for any insight. -Matt |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
 and  |
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Valued Member
United States
361 Posts |
There are many people who can help you here. The only way is if you post a pic.though.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
like others said |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
The "smushed" RTY is a smoking-gun attribute, indicative of quite a rare variety for that year. This is the hallmark of C-2 in a late die state. Is there a die crack running down the right side of the obverse, possibly intersecting the bottom of the bust? C-2 is a very important coin, one of the real "keys" to a Half Cent collection. I don't think as many as 25 examples are known. Pics are imperative - we need to identify this coin. |
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New Member
 United States
8 Posts |
I read the section on taking pictures of coins but had terrible results. I ended up scanning them and these are the results:
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Oops, here they are:  |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Back:  |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Other:  |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
1804, Back:  |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
"Is there a die crack running down the right side of the obverse, possibly intersecting the bottom of the bust?"
Is obverse the "heads" side?
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
Yes, obverse is heads, reverse is tails.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
Your 1804 looks like a "Cohen Variety 9". Obverse 3, reverse E. Second most common variety.
Edited by jfransch
07/17/2011 11:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3402 Posts |
The Half Cent: From the scan it does look like a crosslet 4 leaning left. I cannot make out any die flaws in the date or liberty, other than the Cud. I do agree that it is a Cohen - 9, possibly an early die state #4. It's a nice coin. I'd say good for the obverse, maybe VG if the coin shows some hair. The reverse is a VG and maybe more if the leaves show some detail. KK |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
Both those coins are super coins to have. Especially the early cent!  Killer coin  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1348 Posts |
Nice coins. I need to pick something like this up from my family members! Congrats
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Replies: 17 / Views: 2,829 |
Posted 07/17/2011 10:57 am
