How much is it worth?

[BuffaloBoy]

I have a 1877 Indian penny but cannot upload pictures of the coin. I looked up on google images Indian head pennies and found the best possible obverse and reverse of the coin I have since I can't upload pictures as my camera is broken. Here are the links:

Obverse:

http://www.cointalk.com/attachments/62973d1285620443t-img626.jpg?stc=1

Reverse:

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/32019213/aview/1864_indian_head_penny_12910back.jpg

The front looks almost identical to the front of my 1877 Indian penny.
The back looks almost the same conditionwise except my reverse of the coin is slightly lighter and a little more worn at the leaves on the back.



Any possible estimates on the value of my coin? I just got it recently and I am interested to know the value of it.


Thanks for any responses, BuffaloBoy

 

[fistfulladirt]

I know that my buddy dug one a few years ago, I think he sold it for $700+.
Redbook lists G4 at about $900.

 

[FingerGrime]

We really need pics, and even then it isn't easy to tell.

 

[maine_Jim]

Where did you get it? Do need pictures as this coin is a frequently counterfeited.

Maine_Jim

 

[ivan salis]

it is worth as little as you will accept for it and as much as they will give for it * when those two points meet --thats what its "worth" at that place at that given point in time --red book might say its worth "x" or "y" but when was the last time you saw a book "buy" a coin? -- it can give you a "ball park ideal" of what to ask however thats about all its good for, -- it comes down to the art of the deal often.

 

[fistfulladirt]

it is worth as little as you will accept for it and as much as they will give for it * when those two points meet --thats what its "worth" at that place at that given point in time --red book might say its worth "x" or "y" but when was the last time you saw a book "buy" a coin? -- it can give you a "ball park ideal" of what to ask however thats about all its good for, -- it comes down to the art of the deal often.

So, what you're saying is, that my Redbook could be lying to me?

 

[ivan salis]

the red book will give you a very general "full price" value -what you can generally expect to pay a coin shop or dealer to get that coin * in such and such a condition grade (which tends to be highly subjective at times -- note lots of coin dealers tend to drag down your coins "grade" when buying and tend to be more generous in their "grading" of its condition when selling -- a coin bought as a "fine 12" often resells later on as a "extra fine" 20 )----- ( generally speaking do not expect to get "red book prices" when you sell a coin unless its a highly rare coin that the coin dealer can easily make a ton of $$$ on when he resales it ) --the blue or black book * is generally for most coins more along the lines of what dealers will pay for your coins --a lot of times dealers buy via a "grey sheet" listing which is updated steadly -- coin value books due to being printed once a year can get badly outdated rather rapidly --especially if your dealing with coins that have basic precious metal content (silver and gold values) due to market swings -- but coin books are useful to give folks a ideal of "rarer" scarce production type coins & mint marks , error coins and to give a ideal as to which coins are basically more "worthwhile" in general

common sense should tell you --if the coin "red books" at a certain price--(what you should pay a dealer for said coin *) --then the dealer CAN NOT pay you that price for it . ( if the red book says $10 and he buys it from you for $10 -- how can he sell it? -because the "buyer" will come in and say --well the "red book" says I should only be paying $10 for it --- theres no "profiet" to be made that way )-- so when the DEALER BUYS HE SAYS SAY $6 TO YOU -- HE THEN SELLS IT AT "RED BOOK" $10 OR AFTER A BIT OF HAGGLING MAYBE SAY $8 OR $9 TO THE BUYER-- THUS MAKING A FEW BUCKS TO SURVIVE ON.

 

[rileyboy]

BuffaloBoy,
The 1877 Indian Head Penny is the "Key Date" and lists for over $925 for G-4 condition. If it's in better shape then the coin goes way up. You have a winner there. Don't sell it cheap.
rileyboy

 

[BuffaloBoy]

I don't plan on selling it though because it has sentimental value to me. Got it from my grandfather years back, just found it in the back of a drawer in a plastic baggie. My grandfather says he thinks it's from his grandfather. Key date, and the coin has a story!