Indian Head Penny, Best Shape Ive Ever Seen Personally

[PChammer]

Indian Head Penny, Best Shape I've Ever Seen Personally

Hi all.

I got a roll of pennies from our bank and found this little Indian Head in it. The bank assured me it was real or it would not go through their machines (I had to ask).

That said, is this thing worth a bit more with the shape it's in? Not mint but real nice for sure.

Thanks!

 

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[Terry Soloman]

nice!

 

[mxh5891]

I'm no expert but it is worth at least a few dollars.

 

[cudamark]

Looks to be in the $6 to 10 range without seeing better pics.

 

[NHBandit]

With full Liberty showing on the headband and full diamonds on the neck band I would think it might bring a tad more than cudamark's estimate but a quick look at Ebay completed auctions shows sold prices all over the map from $5 to over $20.

 

[PChammer]

Nice to know for a penny it can be worth even a few bucks at all. I have a slew of Indian Head pennies but none of them are close to the shape this one is in so either way it's a hand me down to my kids.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[david680]

Its a very nice condition coin. Is the color in the pic correct, or just a effect of lighting? Generally, the preferred color for circulated cents is chocolate brown, and any other color will hurt the value. Unless you are planning on selling it, it really doesn't matter. It's a great score for a CRH find, and anybody would be happy with it.

 

[PChammer]

Its a very nice condition coin. Is the color in the pic correct, or just a effect of lighting? Generally, the preferred color for circulated cents is chocolate brown, and any other color will hurt the value. Unless you are planning on selling it, it really doesn't matter. It's a great score for a CRH find, and anybody would be happy with it.

You are spot on sir. The coin is actually chocolate brown but with the phone cam, didn't come out so well. It's actually much darker than the picture. I had my son take one with his good camera for me.


EDIT: It's actually darker than this pic as well, the color of ... chocolate, yep.

 

[JackalopeZL1]

Nice indian!!

 

[bzbadger]

I've never seen one in that good of shape. I'm sure coin collectors have them but I haven't come across one. Nice find even if it wasn't under a coil.

 

[PChammer]

Nice indian!!

Thanks

 

[PChammer]

I've never seen one in that good of shape. I'm sure coin collectors have them but I haven't come across one. Nice find even if it wasn't under a coil.

Thanks. Yeah I've decided to take it in and get it looked at and while I don't know the process of getting it authenticated, I feel it would up the value no matter what, especially If I do decide to sell it to someone, this way they know it was looked at by a pro and not my word lol.

 

[cudamark]

Getting it certified would cost way more than the coin is worth and wouldn't add any substantial value to it. You can get an opinion from a local coin shop if you like......they're usually free. Sending it in to be slabbed can cost over $60 for a single coin.

 

[gigispop7]

nice IHP ...

 

[PChammer]

Getting it certified would cost way more than the coin is worth and wouldn't add any substantial value to it. You can get an opinion from a local coin shop if you like......they're usually free. Sending it in to be slabbed can cost over $60 for a single coin.

Yep you are correct. I did in fact take it to a licensed coin dealer today and he looked at it for free. He was highly impressed with the grade of shape it was in. The only down side "according to him" is the patina. It's a dark chocolate color but he said that only means it had some sort of chemical adhere to it at one time and they should be a very light color. I don't know about that because I've looked at a lot of penny's that had the same color and it was a GOOD thing so I don't know there.

Aside from that he estimated about 60 dollars and said it would have been much much higher if not for the darker brown patina.

Cheers

 

[enamel7]

A "licensed" dealer should know that a coin that old pulled from the wild aren't going to be light colored. Shows what he knows. Everyone is always mentioning these licensed dealers. Here's a little secret. The only license they need is a business license and a tax number. Most don't have any major numismatic skill other than what they read and the price of silver.

 

[cudamark]

Yep you are correct. I did in fact take it to a licensed coin dealer today and he looked at it for free. He was highly impressed with the grade of shape it was in. The only down side "according to him" is the patina. It's a dark chocolate color but he said that only means it had some sort of chemical adhere to it at one time and they should be a very light color. I don't know about that because I've looked at a lot of penny's that had the same color and it was a GOOD thing so I don't know there.

Aside from that he estimated about 60 dollars and said it would have been much much higher if not for the darker brown patina.

Cheers

If I owned it and someone was willing to give me $60, I'd take that in a heartbeat!

 

[flinthunter]

The color looks to me to be from a dug coin that has been boiled in peroxide to help bring out more detail. Boiling in peroxide will turn copper coins a dark brown. Dug coins are considered to have environmental damage and will grade at least one grade lower than the details show.

 

[PChammer]

Going with the first reply, I talked to the guy again and he had a whole different story and stated it could be worth a bit more -_- When I told him the chocolate color was supposed to be a good thing, he said yeah, maybe he could look at it again and re-grade it for me. Um, correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't he have known this to begin with? So yeah "Enamel" I see your point lol.

Now, if it was boiled in peroxide which is a possibility then no, I don't expect any worth out of it. I don't think it was a dug penny though. Either way I'm calling it good enough and just keeping it for my kids because regardless, at least it's not one you find in great shape all the time.

Oh and I only post what my learning experience "what I'm going through finding information" because I feel it may help others along the way too. Every time I find something new, I learn 100 new things about coins or whatever it is I find.

So yep, thanks for all the replies and have a great 4th people!

 

[Joe777Cool]

Viewing the 2nd photo I would bet that it is a dug coin based on the pitting and the dark color. If that guy is offering you $60 take it and run. Then go buy this coin: 1900 Indian Cent NGC MS63 BN | eBay. MUCH nicer if you ask my opinion. Personally I would tell your cent its worth $5-10. Keep in mind it could just be a bad photograph too.