1866 Indian Head Penny

blong10 · Oct 8, 2014

I recently Dug a 1866 Indian Head Penny and it is in alright condition. The pictures I took are not the greatest I can read almost all of liberty pretty good under a microscope. BUT is it worth anything because I soaked it in Olive Oil and it has green corrosion on the back and the front see pics below. Also is it worth getting graded or am I wasting my money thanks

Also since it has been soaked in olive oil does it hurt its value any?

blong10 · Oct 8, 2014

If the pictures are blurry in the thread please click on the pics they are clearer that way

MUD(S.W.A.T) · Oct 8, 2014

I dug an 1866 IH in Aright Condition too... :thumbsup:

First I took it to a coin dealer he offered me 8 dollars... :icon_scratch:

Then I took it to another dealer he offered me $10 :BangHead:

They both said they'll maybe sell it online and get $20. I ended up selling it online and I got yup around $20 for it... :dontknow:

All the best !! My coin was uncleaned, as for grading its not worth it if you get less than what it cost to grade it in my opinion. :occasion14:

Keep @ it and HH !! :hello2:

supertraq · Oct 8, 2014

Wow,thats a clean unworn i.h penny..Is that a dig or from other source? :thumbsup:

blong10 · Oct 9, 2014

supertraq said:
Wow,thats a clean unworn i.h penny..Is that a dig or from other source?

That's one I dug up with the at pro

coinsareawesome · Oct 9, 2014

In that condition its worth a good $50-$75.

blong10 · Oct 9, 2014

coinsareawesome said:
In that condition its worth a good $50-$75.

So it's worth getting graded. I looked it would cost $20 to get graded. Also it has been in olive oil does it hurt it's value at all. Even with the green corrosion on it it's worth that

coinsareawesome · Oct 10, 2014

I was giving you prices in the very good range, but it might still be worth getting graded.

WheatWaffle · Oct 17, 2014

If you have cleaned the coin it is not worth getting graded. All they will probably grade it as is improperly cleaned, and it won't really help the value.

blong10 · Oct 17, 2014

WheatWaffle said:
If you have cleaned the coin it is not worth getting graded. All they will probably grade it as is improperly cleaned, and it won't really help the value.

I just soaked it in olive oil. I Don't see how that could hurt it olive oil is not acidic

WheatWaffle · Oct 17, 2014

blong10 said:
I just soaked it in olive oil. I Don't see how that could hurt it olive oil is not acidic

They will notice even the smallest things, like taking a q-tip to get off some dirt. Very picky but that is how they operate.

mick56 · Oct 20, 2014

I've always thought that any "dug" coin will be graded "environmental damage".

blong10 · Oct 20, 2014

mick56 said:
I've always thought that any "dug" coin will be graded "environmental damage".

So if it's environmentally damaged it's not worth anything to a collector and it's not worth getting graded.

Igyjastabay · Oct 20, 2014

That coin is worth more than you think. It looks to be in vf to xf. Some ody will pay 90 to 100 bucks for it on ebay. Guarantee you. Dont get it graded though. Those old indians are given some leeway when dug. Just not that many war year indians with that detail out there for sale.

MUD(S.W.A.T) · Oct 21, 2014

You guys..!!?? :BangHead:

This is the facts of life man... :icon_scratch:

The only way you'll get any kind of good money for it is if you grade it.. However since it is dug, you may get it back in a body bag... :dontknow:

If you get lucky and it grades good, you can make a :thumbsup:

buck. Otherwise you'll maybe be able to sell it as a blue book price, (low dealer value) on an online auction site...

I had one (That same coin) I went through the same thing... Thinking I had a great coin, only to be disappointed later... :sadsmiley:

I don't want that to happen to you !! :icon_thumleft:

Keep @ it and HH !! :hello2:

l.cutler · Oct 21, 2014

Beautiful coin, congratulations on a great find,BUT, there is obvious corrosion, zero chance that it would grade cleanly. Keep it, display it, show it off, it is a great find!

AMorgan · Oct 22, 2014

Seriously guys... This coin will not get a grade other than a "Details" grade... even a small spot of corrosion will result in a "body bag". Don't waste the money putting in plastic... There is a small market for dug coins, but you wont be getting red book or even blue book prices for any copper coin that has been exposed to the elements...