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:

horsepowerdan · Feb 18, 2014

It certainly looks like your purchase was a potential bargain!

Gaspipe · Feb 18, 2014

I thought this was a metal detecting site ?

DFW_THer · Feb 18, 2014

Gaspipe said:
I thought this was a metal detecting site ?

You've done only half of your homework. It certainly is a MD site, but also open to all other kinds of treasure hunting. Quite a vast forum after you make a few extra clicks! Enjoy!

Silver Searcher · Feb 18, 2014

Iron Patch said:
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

This is my rarest American coin :laughing7:

Iron Patch · Feb 18, 2014

Silver Searcher said:
This is my rarest American coin

Saved images don't count, at least here in North America. :laughing7:

TypeCoin971793 · Feb 18, 2014

Pictures are uploaded.

coinshooter · Feb 18, 2014

Hey man dont (disme). :-)

CRUSADER · Feb 18, 2014

FreeBirdTim said:
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...

still untrue, which was my point....lol stick around & keep reading/learning...(I don't even live in the UNITED STATES)

I belittle no-one on here, I only deal in facts, those that can't deal with facts, like to attack others that do.

Don in SJ · Feb 18, 2014

Nice buy for the price you paid, that will turn around good for you if you wish, if it is a S-121a. I looked and looked and compared, with the examples on-line and with Obv 7 Sheldon 122 and if the reverse is what you think it is, might be the S-121a, but something does not match exactly on the date, but it could be from wear, the 1 and 7 appear closer on yours, could be the wear or the angle of the photo. Also, a tad blurry and worn and dirty to say if it has the Broken letter "B". I lean towards it being the S-121a, but as far as I can say on it.

With all that said, it is listed as a Rarity 6 in my Breen's book.

There have been Large Cents of that Rarity that have been ground found and posted here, including one of mine, a 1797 NC-2, so you made a great buy, and hope a Large Cent specialist verifies it for you.

Don

CRUSADER · Feb 18, 2014

Don in SJ said:
Nice buy for the price you paid, that will turn around good for you if you wish, if it is a S-121a. I looked and looked and compared, with the examples on-line and with Obv 7 Sheldon 122 and if the reverse is what you think it is, might be the S-121a, but something does not match exactly on the date, but it could be from wear, the 1 and 7 appear closer on yours, could be the wear or the angle of the photo. Also, a tad blurry and worn and dirty to say if it has the Broken letter "B". I lean towards it being the S-121a, but as far as I can say on it.

With all that said, it is listed as a Rarity 6 in my Breen's book.

There have been Large Cents of that Rarity that have been ground found and posted here, including one of mine, a 1797 NC-2, so you made a great buy, and hope a Large Cent specialist verifies it for you.

Don

Although I came from my context (which I know best about & is documented well by Cru'dad), my point was the same. We have many people on here, including yourself that have posted some super rare finds, so we are a lucky community which should grow & learn from these experiences. :notworthy:

Brother Al · Feb 18, 2014

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

Lol... humility is always good and it is rare to see someone such as yourself willing to display it!
God bless .

FreeBirdTim · Feb 18, 2014

"still untrue, which was my point....lol stick around & keep reading/learning...(I don't even live in the UNITED STATES)

I belittle no-one on here, I only deal in facts, those that can't deal with facts, like to attack others that do."

Just your opinion, no more and no less. And the OP did not claim that it WAS the rarest coin featured on this site, just that it MAY be the rarest coin featured on this site. No need to belittle him for that statement.

P.S. Your reply to me comes across as belittling as well...

TypeCoin971793 · Feb 18, 2014

FreeBirdTim said:
"still untrue, which was my point....lol stick around & keep reading/learning...(I don't even live in the UNITED STATES) I belittle no-one on here, I only deal in facts, those that can't deal with facts, like to attack others that do." Just your opinion, no more and no less. And the OP did not claim that it WAS the rarest coin featured on this site, just that it MAY be the rarest coin featured on this site. No need to belittle him for that statement. P.S. Your reply to me comes across as belittling as well...

After learning that much rarer coins have been found, I wanted to change my title to "This may be one of the rarest coins featured on this site!" But could not figure out how to do it, so it stayed as-is.

TypeCoin971793 · Feb 18, 2014

Don in SJ said:
Nice buy for the price you paid, that will turn around good for you if you wish, if it is a S-121a. I looked and looked and compared, with the examples on-line and with Obv 7 Sheldon 122 and if the reverse is what you think it is, might be the S-121a, but something does not match exactly on the date, but it could be from wear, the 1 and 7 appear closer on yours, could be the wear or the angle of the photo. Also, a tad blurry and worn and dirty to say if it has the Broken letter "B". I lean towards it being the S-121a, but as far as I can say on it. With all that said, it is listed as a Rarity 6 in my Breen's book. There have been Large Cents of that Rarity that have been ground found and posted here, including one of mine, a 1797 NC-2, so you made a great buy, and hope a Large Cent specialist verifies it for you. Don

The B is most definitely broken, and the obverse die is definitely the S121 die because of the die break and bulge behind Miss Liberty's head (although it is hard to see in the photos). I am asking various Large Cent specialists about this coin, but their answers are inconclusive (I'm not blaming them), but they all agree with my consensus that it is an S121 of some sort. They are pointing me up the expertise chain. Hopefully I'm bound to get an (affirmative, hopefully) answer soon. Stay tuned!

Silver Searcher · Feb 19, 2014

TypeCoin971793 said:
After learning that much rarer coins have been found, I wanted to change my title to "This may be one of the rarest coins featured on this site!" But could not figure out how to do it, so it stayed as-is.

No need for you to think about changing Title, this is your post and nobody else's. Maybe your coin is not one of the rarest posted but you were not to know that, and it's not a pi$$ing contest.

SS

Iron Patch · Feb 19, 2014

Silver Searcher said:
No need for you to think about changing Title, this is your post and nobody else's. Maybe your coin is not one of the rarest posted but you were not to know that, and it's not a pi$$ing contest.

SS

Good thing because I'd hate to see what you and Cru would look like with all that windy weather that's hitting the UK.

Silver Searcher · Feb 19, 2014

Iron Patch said:
Good thing because I'd hate to see what you and Cru would look like with all that windy weather that's hitting the UK.

it's not affecting my part of the country, so no problem for me, still only been out once this year though :unhappysmiley:

SS

CMDiamonddawg · Feb 19, 2014

Maybe your coin is not one of the rarest posted but you were not to know that, and it's not a pi$$ing contest.

lmao

that's hilarious , reminds me of my schoolyard day's :icon_scratch:

could extinguish a burning matchbook @ 2.2 meters with the wind at my back .

Tenspeed · Feb 19, 2014

What a great find in an auction at a club meeting! You scored in a big way.

Iron Patch · Feb 19, 2014

TypeCoin971793 said:
The B is most definitely broken, and the obverse die is definitely the S121 die because of the die break and bulge behind Miss Liberty's head (although it is hard to see in the photos). I am asking various Large Cent specialists about this coin, but their answers are inconclusive (I'm not blaming them), but they all agree with my consensus that it is an S121 of some sort. They are pointing me up the expertise chain. Hopefully I'm bound to get an (affirmative, hopefully) answer soon. Stay tuned!

Very unlikely any expert will commit to an ID over the internet unless they are sure beyond a doubt, and from reading the replies it doesn't seem like that is possible.