1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value? *NEW PICTURES*

[Silver Surfer]

I am the happy owner now of a beautiful 1838 Large Cent that is in FANTASTIC condition... Not BU, there are a few small dings in it, but the detail is very crisp and intact.. Beautiful slight patina (didnt know copper could patina, but almost like a rainbow effect) and for it's age, I am very impressed.
Can you experts tell me what I could expect (ballpark) should I decide to sell it?
I am out of state right now (Father in law passed) so I cannot scan it until I get home late Tuesday, but will post the scans after I get home...

HH

 

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[jgas]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value?

Ok here are the Ball Park figures:
6,370,200 made.....
G4- $25.00
VG8- $29.00
F12- $36.00
VF20-$68.00
XF40-$105.00
MS60-$300.00

Hope that gets ya a ticket into a BallPark Nice coin no matter what grade in my opinion. jgas

 

[l.cutler]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value?

Tough to say without seeing it, but all old copper that I have seen with a rainbow effect has been from cleaning.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value?

Well here are the scans of the coin.... Detail shows well, but the "hues" arent really shown... It is really beautiful...
I would call it mint state except for the fact that there are a few small nicks in it under a loop... One looks big (but short) under a loop, but to the eye you cant make it out (a pro probably could, but not me or my sons stepdad...)

What do ya think?

 

[Silver Surfer]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value? *SCANNED COIN*

BTW, in case you didnt read my post about how I found this coin, it was found in my sons home in the old dirt root cellar. 1800's home that his mom and stepdad renovated, and when "shoring" up the foundation a few years back, he found a brick "vault", as he called it, that he didnt want to take the time to dig up.. About 2 ft square.. He said he poured cement over about half of the area it was buried in, and told me to "have at it" when I come back, and have time to do it.. I also can detect to my hearts content there, and you should see all the old marbles my ex has found just digging to plant flowers and stuff. Scott (ex's husband) said he also has found two silver dollars doing that, but gave them to his dad a few years ago... Has no idea about coins and such...
I can't wait to go back and take my detectors (and a shovel.. LOL)...
Pendleton (where they live) is a very old and historic town...

 

[l.cutler]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value? *SCANNED COIN*

I would say it grades about fine, there is considerable wear. The surfaces appear to have been heavily polished, if it was found this way it must have been polished years ago. The color also would indicate a harsh cleaning. Interesting coin, I doubt the value would be much but it is a great find.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value? *SCANNED COIN*

Not sure about the "polishing", could just be the scan... I should probably take a few macro pictures of it in natural light.. The dirt down in the cellar is typical for Eastern Oregon, very fine, almost like talc... Maybe that?
It was only about 2 inches down, near where the old furnace was.. I was just kicking around and found a few nails, then saw the coin..
I am seriously thinking about sending it to PCGS, if nothing else a learning expericence... I could see what they grade it at, and learn a lot from that.
I dont think I will ever use them for all coins of good condition, as I have had great luck getting top dollar for the non-graded coins I sell (even $70 for a "cleaned" morgan).....
Thanks to all!

 

[Silver Surfer]

Re: 1838 Large Cent- Ballpark value? *SCANNED COIN*

I took some macro pictures in natural sunlight. I think these far better represent the coin than the scans did... See what you think...

 

[1235CE]

Much better pics!.......yeah, cleaned pretty good at one point, now starting to re-tone.......F-VF would be my guess but not anywhere near uncirculated........wouldn't send it off for grading, you'd lose your money as it would come back in a "body bag" (ungradable due to cleaning)

But hell, it was free, nice job saving it from the cellar!

HH all!

Greg

 

[l.cutler]

Yeah, it looks better in these pics, but still F-VF and cleaned. Still nice though.

 

[Silver Surfer]

It simply amazes me how you guys can figure that stuff out.... I wonder though when it could have been cleaned?
I would have to guess that it has been in that cellar a long time. Very dry down there, like I said, the loose dirt was like talcum powder. But I guess a coin that old could have been dropped there even in the mid-1900's and still could have been cleaned. All I did was rinse it off under the tap to get the "dust" off...
I wont bother sending it off then. I am very anxious to return to that home, I can only imagine what I may find!!
Thanks for the advice!

 

[hogge]

Much better pics!.......yeah, cleaned pretty good at one point, now starting to re-tone.......F-VF would be my guess but not anywhere near uncirculated........wouldn't send it off for grading, you'd lose your money as it would come back in a "body bag" (ungradable due to cleaning)

But hell, it was free, nice job saving it from the cellar!

HH all!

Greg

Exactly what Greg said. At some point it was improperly cleaned, and or, polished. Not good. Nice addition to the collection! Hogge

 

[Iron Patch]

I'm not 100% sold on it being cleaned. To me it looks like the lighting is too much which may be giving the apearance the high points are not toned. If the coin is the same color throughout (or at least much darker on the high points than shown) I don't think it's cleaned. I know from taking pictures of some of these in a higher grade the pics often make the coin look glossy like the above shot, and as I said the second one might be nothing more than bad lighting. I personally wouldn't place any bets without better pics.

Even if not cleaned still too low a grade to think about sending in. I had a real nice one that must have been in the AU range because it sold for $150.