Most affordable 1700s US coin?

For a while a pretty big goal for my collection was to have a US coin from the 1700s. Not a colonial, something actually minted by the US mint, post 1793, etc. From my research the cheapest would probably be a 1798 large cent, but there seem to be quite a few varieties, plus the only nice looking ones I could find have been listed on ebay for crazy inflated prices.

Anyway, can someone confirm/deny this and possibly point me in the right direction to finding one at a decent price (I already checked with the local coin dealers to no avail)? Any advice would be appreciated- thanks!

 

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1798 Large cent can be bought for $30 in bad condition.

 

Sorry, I should've specified I was looking for something more presentable, around VF-EF

 

Look into Contemporary Counterfeit Halfpenny's they are a great early copper coin that is very neet to collect !!

 

How much do you have to spend? Will a coin in Fine condition work for you?
On average, an unslabbed, common variety large cent in solid VF condition will run you about 400-600 bucks. I deal exclusively in large cents and can direct you a couple of places, but would need to know your budget.

 

Don't know what your price point is, but two of my favorite dealers have some.

http://www.earlycoppercoins.com/179...GC-VF25-Scott-Barrett-Collection_p_2283.html#

http://www.largecents.net/salecoin.php?T5404
http://www.largecents.net/salecoin.php?P0834
http://www.largecents.net/salecoin.php?P1049

 

Looking to spend $500-600 max at this time (honestly would prefer not to get that high, but I'd entertain the thought if there was a really nice looking cent available). Not really in the market for anything under VF though

 

And yes, 1798 or 1797 would be your best bet. The 93s-95s tend to be more expensive, although i am partial to the liberty cap design and if I were looking for one 1700's coin I would do a 1795 large cent. The 96s and espcially the 99s tend to be a more expensive as well. Keep in mind, clean vf-xf large cents are not a dime a dozen and you will pay a premium for original surfaces with few distracting marks.

 

The last three links are for coins graded to EAC standards, which are stricter than the TPGs. I would find a price point you want to be at and buy the best grade you can find.

 

Just my 2 cents , buy only something you're really happy with . If a coin cost a little more than you want to spend but you really like it , it will be money well spent as there's no worse feeling than trying to save a buck and never really being happy with the coin . Good hunting .

 

I agree with you about the liberty cap design. If I had to choose a favorite US coin, it'd probably be the 1794 cent, but unfortunately I don't have thousands of dollars at my disposal to purchase a nice one

 

few more from a dealer i like:

nice 94: http://hcraig.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=729_21&products_id=1875
good detail with issues 94:http://hcraig.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=729_21&products_id=2454
nice 98, recolored: http://hcraig.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=729_21&products_id=1900

 

Beef covered most of the trusted dealers that I planned on recommending. Keep in mind, there is also nothing wrong looking at some minor problem coins on ebay. A coin that shows minor roughness on enlarged digital photos will still (generally) look very nice in hand or placed in an album. If you want flawless VF however, you'll have to pay for it.

 

Have bought a real Connecticut cent from 1787 out of a dealer's junk box when I was a kid for a quarter.

 

Way to cherrypick!

 

I agree that the 1798 large cent is probably the best deal for a 1700's dated American coin. They made a lot.
You need the patience of a saint on Ebay. Not only does everyone expect top dollar for their crud, but even coins from $500 to $1500 can be flawed, "details" coins.
You can find nice examples in the $500-$600 range, but be patient! For me, at that price, I want a clean coin, with no major flaws, such as scratches, corrosion or cleaning. And, with these old hand press coins, one side is often weaker, or there are weak areas. No rim, off center rim, and late die states, die cracks , etc.
I have been looking for ages, and finally got a nice example very recently, and got lucky, as I won it for only $137. Its clear, clean, centered, with all details strong on both sides.

 

98 large cent you get up around $1k you can get a flowing hair half in vg range. Dometimes that will be a f+ obverse with a g reverse due to strike weak ness I wont ever rule out a nice copper coin with mild porosity. It will detail grade but you can if you look careful buy a stunning coin for not huge money. I like original coins but this I can live with this xf details but one of my favorite coins. S-61 r 4 Is not even the money so much but to find a coin with this kind of detail with perfect surface for sale period

 

In a perfect world we would all be able to own clean, problem free 1794s... Your S61 is very nice and highlights why 'buy the coin not the holder' is so important. While it's corroded, the corrosion is very even and does not distract much from the appeal of the coin, I have seen 94s in cleanly graded holders with more distracting problems.

 

Agreed. I've been seeing a lot of 18th c large cents especially lately with as much or more porosity being graded cleanly. I've got a few with enviro damage details that are far cleaner then most I see slabbed problem free. While I'd love to buy 18th c coppers with perfect smooth chocolate brown surfaces like 19th c ones there just not for sale and if they are there usually godawful expensive. I'm referring to vf and better that I like personally

 

Another interesting note about that 1794 I posted it seems to got most of its wear AFTER the corrosion To the op. If you can live with coins with surfaces like this one. If your careful and cherrypick your way through the big auctions you can buy s real beauty for around $5-600. This one was cnsiderable more but I just seen a very decent vf details 1794 for $800 and a f range can often be less then $500 I bought a real nice 1797 vf details enviro which is far cleaner then most graded for $475 about a year ago. I may play the crack out game with it as I got some free submissions I can use