1859 Indian head cent

[UnEarther]

Hello everybody,
My great uncle gave me this 1859 American Indian head cent not too long ago. He's had it wrapped up in a shoe box pretty much since he was a teenager. Now I know you can't give an exact grading from pictures but if someone could give me a rough grade/price of it, that would be so great! I think it's in really good condition... Here's some pictures:

 

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[enamel7]

I'll go out on a limb and say AU-50. That's a nice looking coin!

 

[port ewen ace]

agree AU, rough value about $200--consider having it certified, my '59 is not even close---she is aging well

 

[Dozer D]

Excellent coin, I would say at least an Ext.fine condition maybe better. Nice!!!!

 

[UnEarther]

Thanks for the replies guys, going to get it certified soon. Happy coin collecting!!

 

[dejapooh]

The coin has obvious signs of wear on the feathers and high points of the design. No where NEAR AU.

I put it at EX 40. I could see a VF 35.

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[cudamark]

IMO, XF and it's been rubbed.

 

[jerseyben]

Yes, it is nice XF coin worth under $100.

Consider getting it certified... For what purpose, exactly? You know what the coin is, you know it is authentic, and you know it's history. Getting is slabbed is not going to change anything about this coin. Just continue to enjoy it as it is.

 

[l.cutler]

I wouldn't bother with having it certified either, best case scenario would be an XF or so grade and they may call it cleaned. Nice coin, I would just put it in a holder and protect it.

 

[digger460]

This is the first time I've seen a IHC that hasn't spent any time in the ground. I've alway's thought one out of the ground is a beautiful coin, but to see one in that condition, I'm torn on which one is better looking. That is a beautiful coin tho! I guess I like the looks of the one out of the ground. You can feel the age! Very nice coin tho!

 

[ajaj]

Yes, it is nice XF coin worth under $100.

Consider getting it certified... For what purpose, exactly? You know what the coin is, you know it is authentic, and you know it's history. Getting is slabbed is not going to change anything about this coin. Just continue to enjoy it as it is.

Nice looking coin, but better pictures would be needed for estimates of condition. To slab or not slab? Choice is up to you. I included Jerseyben's quote above to indicate that there are just as many reasons not to slab as to slab. I have had coins slabbed for preservation purposes and by looking 10-20 years in the future. I may know something is genuine but future admirers/buyers may not. Plus, there's no guessing on the grade or condition.

aj

 

[jerseyben]

Nice looking coin, but better pictures would be needed for estimates of condition. To slab or not slab? Choice is up to you. I included Jerseyben's quote above to indicate that there are just as many reasons not to slab as to slab. I have had coins slabbed for preservation purposes and by looking 10-20 years in the future. I may know something is genuine but future admirers/buyers may not. Plus, there's no guessing on the grade or condition.

aj

You would pay $40-50 to have a coin slabbed worth under $100?

 

[mxh5891]

I would if the coin had great sentimental value to me. Does it make great financial sense...no. But he might of had a great relationship with his uncle who gave him the coin.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Killer little coin. It made it this far without a slab...

 

[jerseyben]

Killer little coin. It made it this far without a slab...

Thanks Tom. Glad to see someone gets it. Try as I may, I just cannot understand the mentality of most coin collectors and their precious pieces of plastic.

 

[enamel7]

Just because you don't understand it doesn't make it wrong. People putting together a graded set want to make sure the grade is correct. It also keeps from accidentally spending it. When I found my 16d merc no one would touch it until it was in a slab. With different values assigned to different grades people just don't want to overpay.

 

[ajaj]

You would pay $40-50 to have a coin slabbed worth under $100?

Yes

aj

 

[ajaj]

Thanks Tom. Glad to see someone gets it. Try as I may, I just cannot understand the mentality of most coin collectors and their precious pieces of plastic.

As I said, preservation, presentation, and future guarantees. No big deal, though, many of my "slabbers" were found for free from metal detecting!

aj

 

[goldog]

That's a nice looking coin.