Too much winter to go detecting. But I got my 77 IH back .....

[Digger]

from PCGS. Finally! After 9 weeks, I was beginning to get concerned. Anyway, as some of you projected, it was not given a numerical grade. According to the proprietor of the authorized PCGS shop who sent it in, PCGS doesn't typically assign a numerical grade to a dug copper coin. Apparently they consider patina to be a sort of corrosion. Anyway, it cost me $70 to have it certified as GENUINE. The dealer said if he were to grade it for his shop, he'd put it between a VF35 and EF 40. He went on to explain that an IH has to have all the letters in LIBERTY clearly displayed to be graded in the VF range, which this one does. To jump beyond the EF range, into the AU range, it has to have some luster. Obviously, a dug copper coin like mine, with patina, has lost it's luster. I asked him if it would be worth it to send it to another grading company, that assigns numbers to "corroded" coppers. He said that he represented several that would. But it were his, he wouldn't pay the price to have it regraded. He believes that since PCGS authenticated it, anyone interested in purchasing it would do so based on their own judgement of the condition.

$70 is a lot of money to spend to prove it is Genuine, beings I already knew that. However, I suppose it adds to the value when it is authenticated by the professionals. HH Randy

[attachment 151219 77IHslabbed.JPG]

 

[David]

I was not sure, so I looked up the values of all the Indian Head pennies made from 1859 to 1909. NOW I see what you mean Randy! The 1877 is THE most valuable Indian Head penny ever made! I would like to know the very brief story of why that year is the most valuable one?

 

[Digger]

Several reasons. But briefly.... http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/coin_articles/1877_indian_head_cent.htm

The only other Indian with a lower mintage is the 1909 S. I happened to be detecting with my brother when he dug his 1909 S, back in 1973. HH Randy

 

[Beale]

Wow Randy! I think I would be a tad upset myself. I am glad that you found an awesome coin. Beale.

 

[Mark in S.E. IA]

Sorry to hear that they didn't grade your coin any more then it is a genuine 1877 IH, but it is nice to have it slabbed too keep it from corroding anymore.

Last fall I sent in a 1922 no "D" to ANACS that they say is a "weak D" and they gave it a grade even tho it was a dug coin. So the next time you find a 1877 IH you might want to send it in to ANACS to have it graded.

 

[Goes4ever]

yep I wish I had told you before you spent your money they would not grade it, they are known for that. I would use ANACS for ANY dug coin they will grade and slab them. Maybe next time. I would be pretty upset to have spent $70 for them to tell you it was real when you already knew that!!!

When I sent my 1877 into ANACS to have it graded, I paid for the 15 day turn around service and had mine back in 3 weeks. And it was way less than 70 bucks.

You have one awesome coin there!!! If it were me, and you were ever even thinking about selling it, I would have it redone by a company who would grade it, ANACS is a reputable company to deal with. I think having a grade on it will bring more cash when and IF you ever sell it

 

[David]

Several reasons. But briefly.... http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/coin_articles/1877_indian_head_cent.htm

The only other Indian with a lower mintage is the 1909 S. I happened to be detecting with my brother when he dug his 1909 S, back in 1973. HH Randy

WOW, that is a good article on that link above! It sure explains things clearly about the 1877 IH.

Also some good advice on this thread.

 

[Goes4ever]

great article!