179? Liberty Cap! Need a little help....

teak · Nov 17, 2012

Hi,

I found this coin today while out detecting in Southeastern Virginia.

I am hoping someone with more knowledge than myself can help me the specifics about this coin.

I know that it is a liberty cap large cent, but I am not sure about the year, let alone the variety.

The coin weighs in at 12.9

Thank you for your help,

teak

Tnmountains · Nov 18, 2012

Teak if no one answers here post it in the What is it section and they will nail it down. Nice old coin by the way.

Lygore · Nov 18, 2012

It's a 1793 to 1794 liberty capped cent is my guess. Due to its thickness, it looks like it might have lettering in its edge. If you clean it up enough, the edge might be readable. If it is reeded, its a 1795. the same if the edge is smooth. Either way it's an amazing find!

l.cutler · Nov 18, 2012

No, not a 1793 wreath, it is a Liberty Cap. There may be a date visible under that little piece of crud, but be careful. It looks like one of the earlier thicker planchet cents, I think they changed the weight in late 1795.

teak · Nov 18, 2012

Lygore said:
It's a 1793 to 1794 liberty capped cent is my guess. Due to its thickness, it looks like it might have lettering in its edge. If you clean it up enough, the edge might be readable. If it is reeded, its a 1795. the same if the edge is smooth. Either way it's an amazing find!

I am seeing some lettering on the edge. Letters I am seeing are "U R D". Thanks for the help!!

Don in SJ · Nov 18, 2012

Odds on favorite that partial date digit showing is a 4, so 1794 it most likely is which is the most widely minted year of the thick Liberty Cap Cents, it will be virtually impossible to get the variety in my opinion due to so many varieties for 1794 and the condition of your coin. Attached is a photo of one of my 1794's showing the edge lettering. ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR There is one extra photo in that showing the Oak Leaf tip and stem pointing down after DOLLAR, that confirmed the variety attritubution on that coin.

Don

Additional Info: All 1793 Liberty Cap Large Cents have a beaded border, not dentils. All Lettered Edged 1795 Large Cents have fairly large dentils around the perimeter. I will stick with saying it is a 1794.

xtrmdigger · Nov 18, 2012

Does appear to be a 1794. What an extraordinary find! How deep was it?

teak · Nov 18, 2012

xtrmdigger said:
Does appear to be a 1794. What an extraordinary find! How deep was it?

It was about 12 inches down. Under roots of course. My friend helped dig, we both knew the target was a coin, but I thought it was going to be a silver coin, as I just dug a 1717 Pistareen minutes before.

nsdq · Nov 18, 2012

nice coin hope to see what the date is soon

flyinryan2 · Nov 18, 2012

Don in SJ said:
Odds on favorite that partial date digit showing is a 4, so 1794 it most likely is which is the most widely minted year of the thick Liberty Cap Cents, it will be virtually impossible to get the variety in my opinion due to so many varieties for 1794 and the condition of your coin. Attached is a photo of one of my 1794's showing the edge lettering. ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR There is one extra photo in that showing the Oak Leaf tip and stem pointing down after DOLLAR, that confirmed the variety attritubution on that coin.

Don

Additional Info: All 1793 Liberty Cap Large Cents have a beaded border, not dentils. All Lettered Edged 1795 Large Cents have fairly large dentils around the perimeter. I will stick with saying it is a 1794.

I'd say 1794 as well, I'd listen to Don he is one of the best in identifying old coppers!! Congrats on a awesome Large Cent!!! :thumbsup: