My First Connecticut Copper, and it is a Beauty!

[PA Sleuth]

Got out this past weekend for a few hours on a recently acquired permission in Southeastern PA. After finding a few buttons, and a Seated Half Dime from 1856 (which would normally be my best find of a hunt), I got a copper signal about 10" down. Out popped this beauty. I knew what it was right away from years of staring at the Colonial section of the Red Book. I never thought I would find one though. I have found three NJ coppers, and plenty of large cents, but this was a surprise! More importantly, it was in amazing shape. Thanks to several people on this forum, it has been identified as a 1787 Copper, Small Head Facing Right ETLIB INDE, otherwise known as a 1787 Connecticut Copper Miller 1.1-A. While I am no coin expert, I think, based on some research and the PCGS Photograde App, that it falls somewhere in the VF35 Range, or better. Am I delusional? I would love to hear everyone else's opinion on the grade.

 

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[Iron Patch]

Beauty for sure. No doubt the detail is quite sharp, but too much is lost in being a dug coin and only listed as scarce for rarity, to be real concerned about the grade. It's a bigger prize as a detecting find than it is a numismatic one.

 

[G.A.P.metal]

Congrats PA Sleuth
Very nice detail on that coin !
Gary

 

[baspinall]

That one is in great shape! Not to many come out of our ground that way. Congrats.

 

[trapperart]

What a beauty congrats

 

[texjim]

Congrats on the old copper.

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Incredible CT Copper PA Sleuth You cant ask for better condition on a copper coming out of the dirt.

 

[flyadive]

Beauty for sure. No doubt the detail is quite sharp, but too much is lost in being a dug coin and only listed as scarce for rarity, to be real concerned about the grade. It's a bigger prize as a detecting find than it is a numismatic one.

When do you think the tide will change
I mean when will rarity and numismatic value come together for a dug coin? It seems to me that all dug coins are low grade no matter how good the details? Because they are dug.
Well maybe except for the the coin I dug up from Captain Morgan's treasure chest! ( hiccup)
I'm still trying to figure out how to prove that one! Lol

 

[Z.K.]

You dug a real winner there, something to cherish.

I'm no expert, but it seems that unless there are a just a handful of specimens known of a certain variety, the state coppers in particular suffer an incredible loss of value as excavated coins. I have a connie and a Machin's that are quoted as having fewer than 120 known, but are probably worth less than $100 (on of them decent, though not as nice as yours). That's ok, because I really enjoy them and the history they embody.

Congrats again!

 

[smokeythecat]

Boy, that thing is a beauty!

 

[Patriot Relics]

That's one incredible copper PA, started drooling when George sent me a picture a few days ago. You guys are on a roll for sure

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Absolutely a beautiful old Connecticut copper, congratulations!

 

[PA Sleuth]

That's one incredible copper PA, started drooling when George sent me a picture a few days ago. You guys are on a roll for sure

Thanks, we have stumbled onto some great spots.

 

[PA Sleuth]

You dug a real winner there, something to cherish.

I'm no expert, but it seems that unless there are a just a handful of specimens known of a certain variety, the state coppers in particular suffer an incredible loss of value as excavated coins. I have a connie and a Machin's that are quoted as having fewer than 120 known, but are probably worth less than $100 (on of them decent, though not as nice as yours). That's ok, because I really enjoy them and the history they embody.

Congrats again!

I agree, reading about the authorization, design, and production of these coins was almost as much fun as digging the coin. Almost

 

[treblehunter]

I believe things are only worth what you can sell them for. If a coin is rare and there are not many available for collectors to buy and that coin is not in a slab marked "environmental damage" As long as the person sticks to his guns that rare coin might catch the eye of someone who realizes he may live his entire life and not see that rare coin ever again. Of course it has to be a rare coin of not many known.

Your is very beautiful, great detail, I love any old copper that comes out of the ground looking like yours. Great find.

 

[JeffInMass]

Beauty is absolutely right- Great detail on that copper- Congrats!!

-- Jeff --

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on a great looking coin. It seems to have real nice detail to it.

 

[JerseyDigger19]

That's still got to be worth around $100 if not a little more. An epic coin in epic condition!

 

[Iron Patch]

When do you think the tide will change
I mean when will rarity and numismatic value come together for a dug coin? It seems to me that all dug coins are low grade no matter how good the details? Because they are dug.
Well maybe except for the the coin I dug up from Captain Morgan's treasure chest! ( hiccup)
I'm still trying to figure out how to prove that one! Lol

No, that's not really the case, dug coins can have value, you just need the rarity to drive the price. It does depend on the coin, but talking CT coppers to me personally I look at very rare as a starting point for a dug coin to start getting enough interest to have some value. But that's when you have to be very lucky having got both a rarer one, and one that has as good eye appeal as yours. If not near as nice, then you'd need an even greater rarity to have the same interest. Basically how it works is there is a ceiling for dug coins that don't have the rarity, and those are the ones which are more in line to what you said, about all dug coins being low grade. The reason you believe that is simply based on experience because that's how it is, most dug coins don't have significant rarity.

 

[BuckleBoy]

No, that's not really the case, dug coins can have value, you just need the rarity to drive the price. It does depend on the coin, but talking CT coppers to me personally I look at very rare as a starting point for a dug coin to start getting enough interest to have some value. But that's when you have to be very lucky having got both a rarer one, and one that has as good eye appeal as yours. If not near as nice, then you'd need an even greater rarity to have the same interest. Basically how it works is there is a ceiling for dug coins that don't have the rarity, and those are the ones which are more in line to what you said, about all dug coins being low grade. The reason you believe that is simply based on experience because that's how it is, most dug coins don't have significant rarity.

And in addition to rarity, you also need collectors after them to drive the price. Unlisted tokens are technically unique, but if the collectors aren't interested in them, their value for a 1-3 specimens known token can be under $100. There are just too many factors to consider. Also, where, and when, and the historical circumstances surrounding a piece, and their significance--or lack of significance--is a factor too...

That said, it's a beautiful copper which anyone would be GREEN with envy over.