Unusual Large Cent (Update with a big photo)

[Narthoniel]

Hello,

I recently found my first large cent, an 1849. I thought it looked odd, but thought little of it since I had nothing to compare it to. Having seen others, I am beginning to wonder about mine. Photographs would not show the oddities, so I will do my best to discribe them.

The details on this coin are recessed, not raised like most coins. The outline of her face is raised, but all the details inside of that are recessed into the coin. The date, all the letters, the wreath, the stars, all of these details are recessed. Shouldn't they be raised? The rim appears worn, and it is smaller than another dug large cent I found in the same place.

I am a bit confised, and I am hoping someone here can make sense of this odd coin. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you,
Anthony

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[IronSpike]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

Can you post picture of the coin with the others coins found, just to get a feel on the size difference?

 

[PBK]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

Is the lettering reversed?

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

Well, you should still put a photo when submitting. You'd be surprised what these guys can differentiate on oddities of coins and artifacts! Just saying Your 1849 in "good" condition is worth about $13.00

 

[Narthoniel]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

Well, if you want a photo, here it is. Part of my not wanting to post one was due to what I have done to it. Since this is my first LC, I have used it as an expirimental coin with reguards to cleaning methods. I have used peroxide, Naval Jelly, and electrolysis on this coin, and I have tumbled it as well. Because it has been tumbled, the highest points on the coin show up like shiney new copper. This was a mistake, and I know it, but it will help illustrate where the high points are.

Having seen and found other LC's(found one today in fact), I realize now that this coin is different. Before, once I saw the date was newer, and not rare, I did not mind using it as an expirimental coin. Now, not knowing what the recessed details mean, I regret it. Hopefully I can solve this mystery with a little help from my friends .

Anthony

 

[IronSpike]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

It may just be the picture, however the edge of the coin does not appear to be damaged from cleaning?

 

[Narthoniel]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

The edge of the coin is worn, and it is smaller than it should be. For the picture, I placed it on top of the photo in the red book, and you can see the rim of the coin in the book around the one sitting on top of it.

 

[cwdigger]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

Well cant help you with your "odd" coin but I can tell you the best way to clean a large cent is just stick it in a potato the starch in the potato will take the crud off and bring it back to life

Cw

 

[IronSpike]

Re: Unusual Large Cent

I see your point and also find it rather odd. I don't think it's an old counterfit, but maybe someone in this forum can explain it.

You noticed the difference before cleaning so unrelated to that process.

 

[Narthoniel]

I took another picture of this coin in good ol' sunlight, and it came out much better. Hopefully someone has some information about what this is. To reiterate, I did tumble this coin breifly, so the parts that are shiny are the highest points on the coins. The green areas are depressed into the coin.

Any ideas?

Thanks for any input!
Anthony

 

[72cheyenne]

Nice new pic. That is one freak of a coin. The only theory I can come up with is when a coin is stamped, the low relief points of the coin are "more dense and compressed" which would be harder to corrode than the high relief points that are "less compressed". Only my WAG.

 

[Narthoniel]

Nice new pic. That is one freak of a coin. The only theory I can come up with is when a coin is stamped, the low relief points of the coin are "more dense and compressed" which would be harder to corrode than the high relief points that are "less compressed". Only my WAG.

I doubt that, the impressions are too uniform. Even the word liberty is sunk in evenly. I am convinced this coin was made this way origionally.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Well, if this helps my friend this is an 1853 Braided hair Variety as yours should be. And it is odd that the back and the front of your coin is recessed where mine is not cheers!

 

[IronSpike]

Can anyone explain this coin?

Would a large cent be counterfitted?

 

[lostcauses]

More likly a token or some sort of play money.

Can anyone explain this coin?

Would a large cent be counterfitted?

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Hmmm, let me do some checking on this.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

As far as we know there are no large cents that were circulated like yours. I was thinking, "what if its a 1819" I looked at my 1819 and it is not recessed either. I just got off the phone with a friend who owns a reputable coin shop here in Asheville NC. And he has several "large cents" at the shop and could not find any like yours! Could it be a counterfeit? It is possible but unlikely. Our friend at the coin shop will be visiting this site to help you out today...stay tuned

 

[Narthoniel]

I appreciate all the help you guys are providing. I showed it to a coin dealer locally, and he didnt have a clue. Said right away, "Acid ate all the high points down". One flaw - it was like this before I started cleaning. Seems to be quite a mystery, more than I expected it to be.

 

[lostcauses]

Some one years ago could have drop it in acid. Such as the softer areas would have ate away prior to the more dense ones.

I appreciate all the help you guys are providing. I showed it to a coin dealer locally, and he didnt have a clue. Said right away, "Acid ate all the high points down". One flaw - it was like this before I started cleaning. Seems to be quite a mystery, more than I expected it to be.

 

[Narthoniel]

Some one years ago could have drop it in acid. Such as the softer areas would have ate away prior to the more dense ones.

I appreciate all the help you guys are providing. I showed it to a coin dealer locally, and he didnt have a clue. Said right away, "Acid ate all the high points down". One flaw - it was like this before I started cleaning. Seems to be quite a mystery, more than I expected it to be.

The last person to hold this coin before me held if about 150 years ago.