1793 Flowing Hair Cent?

[im2shakey]

I came across this today and on a gamble purchased...I know a lot of these had die varieties, but now that I have it here at home and stared at it for a while...I have doubts that it is authentic...I am open to your suggestions if it would be worth my time to send for grading.

[barrytrot]

If it's real it's worth about $20,000 in the condition shown there so you were right to try to gamble Big upside

I would send it to PCGS or another grading company.

Do NOT take it to a local dealer unless you already know the person VERY WELL. Many (not all) local dealers are basically local "hotel gold buyers" and it is difficult to know whom you can trust.

PCGS on the other hand, you can definitely trust

[im2shakey]

OK thanks, I will try to piggy back with someone if they are thinking about sending some in, I sent some coins off a few months ago with a guy from BS and my stuff came back better than I expected.

[bman]

if you don't mind saying, where did you get it? Even if you don't want to be specific, was it an antique store, flea market, auction...
The chain detail seems awful strong compared to the lettering around it.

[TheJonasCollegeFund]

I know of a toasted one that is for sale for $850 and it takes a boat load of effort to even tell what you are looking at.

Wow if it's real.

You can always weigh and measure it to see if it matches.

[Diggin4copper]

Get them for 2.50 each here... I think these ones are brass with a copper coating.. but these look new, wonder how aomeone ages them? Hope yours is real...
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/44 ... alers.html

PS.. dont buy a chain cent from Robert I... he has bought a bunch of copies... check the feedback system..

[Rodebaugh]

Robert I. needs to spend some of those profits on a set of clippers.

[OtusLotus]

I thought all copies had to be labeled as such?

ditto on the clippers

[baggerman]

I thought all copies had to be labeled as such?

ditto on the clippers

Not when they come from China!

[Market Harmony]

I can help you out if you want to get it graded by PCGS or NGC. You will have to send the coin to me and then I send it off. I would suggest PCGS secure plus for your coin.

[barrytrot]

Market Harmony is a dealer you can trust.

[John Reich]

I finally got a chance to look at the photos of your coin. It appears to be Sheldon Variety #2 (S.2). That tells us it's not a Gallery Mint or Royal Oak Mint coin that's been tampered with to look old. However, before sending it in to PCGS, weigh your coin. A real cent should weigh 13.48 grams, or slightly less due to wear. If your coin is heavier, what you may have is an electrotype. A lot of these were made in the late 1800's. A wax mold was made of the real coin, then a copper shell was built up in the mold with electrolysis. The two halves of the mold were filled with lead and joined. If the coin weighs more than 13.48 grams, check the edge very carefully--you should be able to see some evidence of where the two halves were joined. The joint will be either at the top edge of the obverse, or reverse. Imagine a shallow "bowl" with a tight-fitting plate dropped in. That's how they were put together. If the coin weighs in the neighborhood of 13.48 grams, it's definitely worth sending in. As I say it has all the die characteristics of S.2--I used a copy of William Noyes Large Cent book to look it up. Do you have access to that book or Sheldon's book? If the coin is a 19th century electrotype, it's still worth a few hundred dollars. Send it to Market Harmony or Rodebaugh & they can show it to Rod Buress, a dealer who is an EAC member. He should be able to tell what an electrotype would be worth. Hope this helps! Good luck with the coin! I'll be interested to see what you find.

[TheJonasCollegeFund]

Do we have an update on this?????

[Saabman]

Market Harmony is a dealer you can trust.

+1

[im2shakey]

I have still not sent this to anyone yet...I do need to send it to Market Harmony or Rodebaugh...they in turn could show it to the right people...I will up date when I vet off my fluffy!