This may be the rarest coin featured on this site!

TypeCoin971793 · Feb 16, 2014

I'm still in disbelief that I found this coin. Yesterday, I bought a lot of 3 large cents, dated 1797, 1798, and 1800, at an auction at my coin club for $15. The 1797 was in FA-02 condition, the 1798 was AG-03, and the 1800 was AG details with a hole. I sold my dad the 1798 for $5 (which we later determined to be an S-184 valued at about $50 or so). I got an offer of $15 for the 1800 after the auction, but I declined thinking it had a rare overdate (not the case, but it was the S-197 variety that had a die chip in the first 0, giving the illusion of an overdate.). Then, this morning, I decided to research the 1797's variety. The first diagnostic was the reverse of 1796, so I went from there. Then I looked at the date, which had the numbers close together and evenly spaced. The last diagnostic was the edge, which was plain and had no gripping (which is somewhat like reeding). All told, I figured out that this was the S-121a variety. When I tried to research price, there was nothing to compare it to, save one example here: http://larrybriggsrarecoins.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1182 . It is comparable to my coin's condition. This variety has a rarity rating of R7-, meaning fewer than 20 are known to exist! With the highest grade being a VG-10. I still need it to be checked out, but I think this may be a $2000 coin! Needless to say, I'm stoked!!!!!!!!

I'm trying to prove that it is not the 121a, but I'm not having any success in doing so. As of right now, I am 95% sure this is the real deal. I just hope this doesn't turn into a disappointment...

Here's a reference: http://www.ngccoin.com/vp-variety.aspx?coinid=307

UPDATE!!! Here's the pictures of my coin. My computer needs a new hard drive.

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If you look closely to the right side of the obverse, you might be able to see a more worn/ raised area. This was a huge die break that is a diagnostic for the die pair. It is rather obvious on the coin in hand, but you could compare it to the coin in the NGC link above.

Here is a reverse of 1796 (1795) (the rare one):

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Here is a reverse of 1797:

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Here is an obverse of the 121a:

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Here is an obverse of the 120a:

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And here is an example of a "gripped" edge, which is the more common variety:

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The edge of my coin is completely smooth, except for rim bumps, which is the rare variety. Until next time :hello:

Iron Patch · Feb 16, 2014

Good luck! ....but you can't really beat the rarest, because the rarest is 1!

CRUSADER · Feb 17, 2014

Sorry but less than 20 is not that rare on this site. I only recently had a Roman coin recorded as the 2nd known & I have had a couple of other coins recorded as the only known example, plus many more at less than 10.

g-olden years · Feb 17, 2014

Congrats!

You were wise to check out all three coins after buying. Hopefully your 1797 is as rare as your research so far indicates, but even if not it's a wonderful item to have. In any case, seems odd that the previous owner of those three coins apparently didn't research them -- but maybe he has so many super old coins that he decided to surprise someone, lol. :tongue3:

Looking forward to seeing your pics & hearing results of your further research. HAVE FUN! Andi

Silver Searcher · Feb 17, 2014

CRUSADER said:
Sorry but less than 20 is not that rare on this site. I only recently had a Roman coin recorded as the 2nd known & I have had a couple of other coins recorded as the only known example, plus many more at less than 10.

And I just bet that your Black cat is Blacker than anyone else's

SS

TypeCoin971793 · Feb 17, 2014

CRUSADER said:
Sorry but less than 20 is not that rare on this site. I only recently had a Roman coin recorded as the 2nd known & I have had a couple of other coins recorded as the only known example, plus many more at less than 10.

Thank you. I wasn't sure so I didn't make it a certain statement. Now I know, so I can now say, "This may be one of the rarest coins seen of this site!"

birdman · Feb 17, 2014

I would send it in to the professionals . You may have something real special! :occasion14:

CRUSADER · Feb 17, 2014

No worries, just wanted the record straight, the longer & more you read on here, the more you will notice that several people post some extremely rare coins. It's a site full of lucky/pro hunters, more importantly people like yourself who put in the leg work & actually work out want they have.

Silver Searcher · Feb 17, 2014

The word Rare is often branded about on here when it comes to coins, rarity has many forms, variety, condition, and those that are known, just because a coin has not many of the type recorded, doesn't guarantee that it's rare, and this reflects the price, because those that do know, know that these coins exist in private collections.

Good luck with your coin, if it is one of less than 20, then that's close enough in my book. :thumbsup:

slowwevo · Feb 17, 2014

close enough for me too...nice find

Davers · Feb 17, 2014

Great Deal you got there.

MT_Joe · Feb 17, 2014

You did good in any case on those coins! Congrats!

Mach1Pilot · Feb 17, 2014

Great find- hope you can get the ID verified! :thumbsup:

jewelerguy · Feb 17, 2014

Silver Searcher said:
The word Rare is often branded about on here when it comes to coins, rarity has many forms

yes, Silver Searcher is correct. rarity has many forms on this forum. for example, it's rare that I ever find anything good :laughing7:

DigIron2 · Feb 17, 2014

1797 draped bust is a nice penny.wish I had one.or any draped bust

MUD(S.W.A.T) · Feb 17, 2014

I hope its the type your looking for. One in 2 or one in 20 is kinda rare, so I hope for you the best !!

Keep @ it and HH !! :hello2:

Msbeepbeep · Feb 18, 2014

Congrats on finding your rarest coin ever! Hope it proves to be just that for you! GL. HH!

Many things we find are priceless to us as individuals, I'm happy for you!

FreeBirdTim · Feb 18, 2014

You should have stated that it may be one of the rarest UNITED STATES coins featured on this site. That would have taken care of those who feel the need to belittle your find with boasts of ancient Roman coins.

Personally, I'd take that coin over any foreign coin, regardless of age, rarity or value...

xrunndonex · Feb 18, 2014

Iron Patch said:
Good luck! ....but you can't really beat the rarest, because the rarest is 1!

The rarest us coin on this site is most likely the very first dime ever minted. The disme!

Iron Patch · Feb 18, 2014

xrunndonex said:
The rarest us coin on this site is most likely the very first dime ever minted. The disme!

You can make an argument either way because the OP is quoting the variety and not the over all numbers. For the numbers in general the Disme would be much rarer, but not insanely because i think there's about 200 of them known.

This is the one I consider to be the rarest found. It's also a variety, but a new one, so that's sort of a different story as it's creating history and the only one to exist. It's also as valuable as both of the Disme finds that were posted.... both combined in fact!

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...fetime-1786-new-york-non-vi-virtute-vici.html