What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

If it doesn't fit anywhere else, POST IT HERE. Numismatic related posts only.

Moderator: Daniel

Forum rules
Here's a link to how to post a topic with images in our community https://coinauctionshelp.com/welcome-to ... community/

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You also agree to follow these guidelines. You must agree to these rules to be a member of this forum. NO SPAM! Spam is deleted within minutes, no spam will ever be left in our community.

1. Post a front and back image of your coin with a specific question about what you’re seeing or asking about and one coin per topic.

2. Please remove coin from the holder unless it’s US or an official mint case or unless it is graded by a grading service.

3. Images should be taken by a camera or cell phone camera, please do not take images of your microscope screen or TV screen.

4. Always start your own topic, please don’t ask about your coin or post your coin in someone else’s coin topic.

5. Do not send private messages about your coin unless an Admin ask you too and the same for sending emails through the board.

6. No spam. Do not post any links to your coin or other non-coin websites.

7. Always be respectful even if something makes you upset or you don’t agree with a member. You can always get a second opinion elsewhere. If you have an issue then politely ask an admin in an PM. PM’s are for issues, technical and personal, but not for coin questions (refer to number 5 on this list). Our community is not a soap box for complaining or drama, so please refrain from doing so here.[/size]
Post Reply
Message
Author
JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#1 Unread post by JTCC »

Just pulled this out a bank roll today, along with a 1920, makes me wonder what had others found in in rolls/circulation. If you had one, post your story here please.
Attachments
1910 obv.
1910 obv.
1910 rev.
1910 rev.
Last edited by JTCC on Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
U.S. cent lover!

USSID18

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#2 Unread post by USSID18 »

Something like this, roll hunting a few years ago.
Attachments
S20180220_008.jpg
S20180220_009.jpg

User avatar
pnwmakes
Coin Expert
Posts: 1201
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:41 pm
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 401 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#3 Unread post by pnwmakes »

1911 is the oldest I have found coin roll hunting, My average box from the bank I find anywhere from 16 to 24 wheat cents a box only a hand full from the teens, mostly from the 20' to 1958. But for me it is all about the hunt.
Attachments
IMG-0080.jpg
IMG-0079.jpg
Member of CONECA
Island Dweller
Former U.S. Navy

User avatar
SensibleSal66
Coin Master
Posts: 9132
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2020 8:06 am
Location: Connecticut
Has thanked: 5300 times
Been thanked: 3100 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#4 Unread post by SensibleSal66 »

Got this at a convenience store about 20 years ago.
Attachments
1857FECREV.jpg
1857FECOBV.jpg
Member of CONECA
" All replies are my opinion based on experience"
Casual Collector 40+ years , 10 years Error coins ( still learning).

Triple C
Coin Wizz
Posts: 660
Joined: Tue May 11, 2021 4:32 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 221 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#5 Unread post by Triple C »

Got this in change from a local Starbucks about 3 yrs ago. When I told the Barista "thanks and showed it to him", he apologized for handing me a Canadian coin and said he would exchange it for an American nickel...lol
20211122_190737.jpg

richard560729
Coin Collector
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2021 3:27 pm
Has thanked: 93 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#6 Unread post by richard560729 »

So far, a 1955 "wheat penny".
I keep looking!
Attachments
20211124_171412.jpg

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#7 Unread post by JTCC »

SensibleSal66 wrote: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:14 pm Got this at a convenience store about 20 years ago.
That’s......pretty hard to beat! Congrats on the absolute amazing find!
U.S. cent lover!

User avatar
Earle42
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 18927
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:18 am
Location: OH
Has thanked: 1693 times
Been thanked: 5914 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#8 Unread post by Earle42 »

Sorry no picture. I grew up near the Canadian border and so got a lot of Canadian change to look through as well.
Most of the following are finds the 60s-80s:

Oldest cent:
US: 1906 in MS condition from a Take a Penny/ Leave a Penny tray at a gas station. Found in the early 90s.
Canada: 1937

Oldest nickel:
US: 1889 from a cash register where I was once working. The person next to me asked why I wanted a Canadian Nickel (similar to TripleC's story!). Found in 2008
Canada: 1937

Oldest dime:
US: 1916 Mercury
Canada: 1937 with date, but once got a King Geo. V no date.

Oldest quarter:
US: SLQ Type 1 no date, but its a 1917 - not the 1916 :(
Canada: 1937, but a King Geo. V with not date.

Oldest half:
US: 1908-S. Found in 2012
Canada: 1970 (only available by asking at banks - and even then some tellers didn't actually know Canada made them!)

Oldest dollar:
US: 1971 Ike
Canada: 1968 (only available by asking at banks back then and most Canadians had never seen one.)
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

monsterbug1
Coin Wizz
Posts: 411
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2020 7:17 pm
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 77 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#9 Unread post by monsterbug1 »

This barber half from '02

also found a flying eagle in a burnt coin lot that was in a fire in 2006; most coins in the lot were modern, but there was a decent bit of silver(expecially dimes), and a ton of wheats
Attachments
20210809_224957 (2).jpg
20210809_130726 (1).jpg
20210809_130741 (1).jpg

CoinBoy2
Coin Wizz
Posts: 239
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:19 am
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 84 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#10 Unread post by CoinBoy2 »

I found a 1909 V.B.D. in a bank roll, and two days ago I found 1943-S silver nickel.

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#11 Unread post by JTCC »

CoinBoy2 wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:24 am I found a 1909 V.B.D. in a bank roll, and two days ago I found 1943-S silver nickel.
Not bad!
U.S. cent lover!

User avatar
CoinPyro
Coinasieur
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:51 am
Location: Nashville, TN
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 46 times
Contact:

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#12 Unread post by CoinPyro »

Triple C wrote: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:53 pm Got this in change from a local Starbucks about 3 yrs ago. When I told the Barista "thanks and showed it to him", he apologized for handing me a Canadian coin and said he would exchange it for an American nickel...lol
20211122_190737.jpg
A week ago I wouldn't have known any better, but now that I do know what that coin is, that response kinda hurts 😂

WyoCoinMan
Coining Around
Posts: 15
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2021 8:48 pm
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 5 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#13 Unread post by WyoCoinMan »

Figured I should add a bill. Found a 1928 G series 2 dollar bill along with about 10 1976 2 dollar bills.

thairunts
Coinasieur
Posts: 103
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 4:11 pm
Has thanked: 31 times
Been thanked: 44 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#14 Unread post by thairunts »

My oldest was truly found in the wild.. Back about 40 years ago, I was kicking at the gravel at my grandparents house in the mountains of Arkansas and found an 1882 Shield Nickel that had been in the dirt for about 100 years. I had never seen a nickel older than a buffalo nickel before.. and it started my collection habits/hobby/addiction.

JJForrest
Coining Around
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 10:46 pm
Has thanked: 8 times
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#15 Unread post by JJForrest »

1898 Indian head cent. We got a box from the bank and had the kids help us hunt for wheat heads. One of the kids found it.
Attachments
20211129_195330.jpg
20211129_194723.jpg

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#16 Unread post by JTCC »

Nice! Hadn’t found one yet. Keep hunting, more are still out there!
U.S. cent lover!

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#17 Unread post by JTCC »

thairunts wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:57 pm My oldest was truly found in the wild.. Back about 40 years ago, I was kicking at the gravel at my grandparents house in the mountains of Arkansas and found an 1882 Shield Nickel that had been in the dirt for about 100 years. I had never seen a nickel older than a buffalo nickel before.. and it started my collection habits/hobby/addiction.
Picture please?
U.S. cent lover!

User avatar
Coin Mattster
Coin Wizz
Posts: 845
Joined: Wed May 26, 2021 11:41 am
Has thanked: 176 times
Been thanked: 202 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#18 Unread post by Coin Mattster »

My grandma was a huge role model for me growing up. I never ever heard her speak ill of anyone else. Ever graceful and patient.

In 2006, I was offered a job in Washington D.C. I set out driving from Cincinnati with a car-full of initial essentials, apprehensive, afraid.

I made it to Zanesville, when the urge hit HARD to turn around, go back, decline the new job and just call the whole thing off! I stopped for coffee at a Howard Johnson. There among my change was a 1917 Lincoln cent - my grandma's birth year. I took it as my cue to be muster my courage and keep going. It was scary and new, but I made it through, and embarked a new adventure that became one of the most rewarding jobs in my whole working life. I was even able to transfer back to Cincinnati with the job about 8 months later.

The incident may have been a coincidence, but the enormous influence and encouragement of my beloved grandma, "Joy", is a lasting blessing that has given me comfort and direction in times of doubt and uncertainty on so many occasions. I embrace everything that turns my thoughts to her! But, come on; this was a sign!

Iceresistance
Coin Expert
Posts: 1488
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:49 pm
Location: Tecumseh, OK
Has thanked: 274 times
Been thanked: 355 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#19 Unread post by Iceresistance »

My great-Grandfather has the oldest Indian Head cent I've ever seen, it's in 1880s (Forgot the exact date though)
You are never too old to learn something new

Justice41ca
Coinasieur
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2021 9:43 pm
Has thanked: 298 times
Been thanked: 51 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#20 Unread post by Justice41ca »

CoinBoy2 wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:24 am I found a 1909 V.B.D. in a bank roll, and two days ago I found 1943-S silver nickel.
Congratulations, with that comes a question. The books say that you will just learn to tell the difference between the silver and clad nickels. Do you have a way to tell the difference? If so would you share? Thanks
Jeanne

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#21 Unread post by JTCC »

Justice41ca wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:09 am
CoinBoy2 wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:24 am I found a 1909 V.B.D. in a bank roll, and two days ago I found 1943-S silver nickel.
Congratulations, with that comes a question. The books say that you will just learn to tell the difference between the silver and clad nickels. Do you have a way to tell the difference? If so would you share? Thanks
The silver war nickels would have a large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse of the coin.
U.S. cent lover!

Justice41ca
Coinasieur
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2021 9:43 pm
Has thanked: 298 times
Been thanked: 51 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#22 Unread post by Justice41ca »

JTCC wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 2:56 am
Justice41ca wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 1:09 am
CoinBoy2 wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:24 am I found a 1909 V.B.D. in a bank roll, and two days ago I found 1943-S silver nickel.
Congratulations, with that comes a question. The books say that you will just learn to tell the difference between the silver and clad nickels. Do you have a way to tell the difference? If so would you share? Thanks
The silver war nickels would have a large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse of the coin.
Thank you, that part I knew as it is in the books. But on the error coins: wrong stock or metal both ways all it states is that they look different, and you will learn how to tell the difference. They give to much credit... LOL I will let you know what I come up with in about 10-20 years... LOL
Jeanne

CoinBoy2
Coin Wizz
Posts: 239
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:19 am
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 84 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#23 Unread post by CoinBoy2 »

From 1942-1945 (and a few planchet errors) the mint mark is above the Monticello building. that was the first time the Philadelphia Mint put P on a coin

User avatar
Worldwide C
Coin Wizz
Posts: 217
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2022 7:37 am
Location: United Kingdom
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 85 times
Contact:

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#24 Unread post by Worldwide C »

These are mine:
UK:
Coins:
1969 "chunky" 5 New Pence in place of a Ten Pence coin found while coin hunting a few weeks ago.
Note/Bills:
Last paper £50 note (Salmon signature) just recently, 9 days after they were withdrawn from circulation.

France:
Coins:
1999 20 Euro Cent (French obverse)
Note/Bills:
Eurozone 20 Euro 2015 series (2020 Lagarde signature printer code U for Banque De France).

United Arab Emirates:
Coins:
1995 1 Dirham.
Notes:
2009 20 Dirhams.

US
Coins:
1936 S Mercury Dime found in the early 80s by my mom while visiting family members in California from Mexico.
Bills:
1988 1 Dollar bill (Richmond Federal Reserve) found by my dad in 1991.

US coin found furthest away from home was a 2007 cent found on the flower of the observation deck on top of the Montparnasse Tower in Paris. But the award must go to Russia 10 Rubles 2015 (Moscow Mint) found in Egypt circa early 2018.
Worldwide collection “collecting and documenting finds since 2019”.

Facts about me;
  • I have visited 12 countries so far.
  • I have actively hunted for coins in 5 of those countries (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands and UAE.
  • Avid cat person.
  • I have a sense of dry humour.
  • History/Geography nerd.
  • Pretty good Chess player.

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#25 Unread post by JTCC »

recently found a 1911-P wheat cent in a bank wrapped roll....
U.S. cent lover!

Andrew212
Coin Collector
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:39 pm
Has thanked: 14 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#26 Unread post by Andrew212 »

I can’t believe this thread popped up now. Last week at an airport mini-mart, I was handed this coin as a $1 in part of my change. Hopefully you can see from the pics, it’s a 1798 Large Cent.I think. Honestly, I didn’t think about it until I emptied my pockets later that night. I’ve never been so shocked. I just hope someone didn’t spend it by mistake. Was thinking of having it slabbed just for preservation, but I’m worried it’ll come back as damaged because of that split on Lady Liberty’s head. Regardless. It’s far and away the oldest coin I own! Let alone have received in change! Thank you so much for providing this service to anyone that asks. It’s awesome
Attachments
3B2FAF3B-3790-4A71-BE62-5FEFDF75E8B9.jpeg
CCC45BCF-2B50-4EF8-8A64-07EE282E516D.jpeg

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#27 Unread post by JTCC »

:shock: :o :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
U.S. cent lover!

Iceresistance
Coin Expert
Posts: 1488
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:49 pm
Location: Tecumseh, OK
Has thanked: 274 times
Been thanked: 355 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#28 Unread post by Iceresistance »

Holy moly! What are the odds of finding something like this?
You are never too old to learn something new

User avatar
Earle42
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 18927
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:18 am
Location: OH
Has thanked: 1693 times
Been thanked: 5914 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#29 Unread post by Earle42 »

@Andrew212

I admit my first thought is that to find such a thing nowadays, especially with the huge number of fakes from China, makes me think this is not a legit coin.

So let's use this as a help to figure out a good guess as to it being legit or not.

Find online pictures of a PCGS 1798 Large Cent. When I did this I found there are several varieties. One is the 1798/97. Another thing I noticed is these come with a hair type 1 and a hair type 2. And then I saw these come with a REV of 1797 on them. All this info can be found by going to PCGS ad searching for 1798 large cent where you will then be able to choose a type and great pictures of many of the ones they have verified. The one thing I DO trust grading companies for is being able to tell fakes, and I also appreciate all the online info they have for the hobby.

Anyway...put a pic of you coin's OBV or REV onscreen and zoom in. Compare the small details, side by side with a pic of each type at that website.

Little things like the following will help you determine MOST fakes out there ( saw yours has the 1897 REV and so compared it to a verified one):
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Why did I use the REV? B/c there are only two REV varieties (regular and 1897) and many for the OBV. So after I saw the two leaves on your REV (meaning 1797 b/c 1798 only has one leaf at the top on both stems), I knew this would be the fastest comparison to make.

My guess from the above is you have a Chinese copy. If you want to take the time to do a more in depth verification like this using their online pictures, I would suggest doing so.

Now, I also know there are varieties I am not aware of. And with coins this old they sometimes used different dies giving slightly different appearances. I will leave it up to you to compare yours to all of the pics of the 1797 REV to see if yours matched perfectly with any of the ones there.

There are other things I noticed, but using this technique will allow you to understand its not hard to identify most fakes out there and/or verify if a coin is real.

Know that a specialist for large cents, which I am NOT, may know little details like this by heart. But for those of us outside a specialty area, these techniques can help us.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

User avatar
Buried_In_Cents
Coinasieur
Posts: 164
Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2022 11:44 pm
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 137 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#30 Unread post by Buried_In_Cents »

I've had a few very cool finds, but this is the oldest overall by far.
I found it in a bank box of half dollars near the end of 2019 (I would regularly search through boxes of half dollars every week).
Attachments
photo_2022-11-22_23-11-22.jpg
photo_2022-11-22_23-11-23.jpg

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#31 Unread post by JTCC »

Very, very nice find!
U.S. cent lover!

User avatar
Worldwide C
Coin Wizz
Posts: 217
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2022 7:37 am
Location: United Kingdom
Has thanked: 5 times
Been thanked: 85 times
Contact:

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#32 Unread post by Worldwide C »

Andrew212 wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 3:18 pm I can’t believe this thread popped up now. Last week at an airport mini-mart, I was handed this coin as a $1 in part of my change. Hopefully you can see from the pics, it’s a 1798 Large Cent.I think. Honestly, I didn’t think about it until I emptied my pockets later that night. I’ve never been so shocked. I just hope someone didn’t spend it by mistake. Was thinking of having it slabbed just for preservation, but I’m worried it’ll come back as damaged because of that split on Lady Liberty’s head. Regardless. It’s far and away the oldest coin I own! Let alone have received in change! Thank you so much for providing this service to anyone that asks. It’s awesome
I didn’t know it was possible to find large Cents, I thought they were withdrawn shortly after the introduction of the Flying Eagle Cent.
Worldwide collection “collecting and documenting finds since 2019”.

Facts about me;
  • I have visited 12 countries so far.
  • I have actively hunted for coins in 5 of those countries (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands and UAE.
  • Avid cat person.
  • I have a sense of dry humour.
  • History/Geography nerd.
  • Pretty good Chess player.

JTCC
Coin Guru
Posts: 5094
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:01 pm
Location: Monroe, NY
Has thanked: 514 times
Been thanked: 1323 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#33 Unread post by JTCC »

Worldwide C wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:45 am
Andrew212 wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 3:18 pm I can’t believe this thread popped up now. Last week at an airport mini-mart, I was handed this coin as a $1 in part of my change. Hopefully you can see from the pics, it’s a 1798 Large Cent.I think. Honestly, I didn’t think about it until I emptied my pockets later that night. I’ve never been so shocked. I just hope someone didn’t spend it by mistake. Was thinking of having it slabbed just for preservation, but I’m worried it’ll come back as damaged because of that split on Lady Liberty’s head. Regardless. It’s far and away the oldest coin I own! Let alone have received in change! Thank you so much for providing this service to anyone that asks. It’s awesome
I didn’t know it was possible to find large Cents, I thought they were withdrawn shortly after the introduction of the Flying Eagle Cent.
Yes, that is true. My theory is that in some extremely rare circumstances, large cents get dumped in modern day coin counters, which sometimes would take large cents as half dollars due to their similar size. Those then went on to get rolled by banks and distributed.
U.S. cent lover!

User avatar
Earle42
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 18927
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:18 am
Location: OH
Has thanked: 1693 times
Been thanked: 5914 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#34 Unread post by Earle42 »

Worldwide C wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:45 am
Andrew212 wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 3:18 pm I can’t believe this thread popped up now. Last week at an airport mini-mart, I was handed this coin as a $1 in part of my change. Hopefully you can see from the pics, it’s a 1798 Large Cent.I think. Honestly, I didn’t think about it until I emptied my pockets later that night. I’ve never been so shocked. I just hope someone didn’t spend it by mistake. Was thinking of having it slabbed just for preservation, but I’m worried it’ll come back as damaged because of that split on Lady Liberty’s head. Regardless. It’s far and away the oldest coin I own! Let alone have received in change! Thank you so much for providing this service to anyone that asks. It’s awesome
I didn’t know it was possible to find large Cents, I thought they were withdrawn shortly after the introduction of the Flying Eagle Cent.
See the photo comparison I made above with that large cent. I did just a bit of research, but am thinking it's a Chinese copy. The info as to why is in my post. Unless they used more than one die in 1798 to make the REV of 1797 variety, and all of the PCGS coinfact examples of this coin are not showing more than one die, then I believe it's a fake. Someone who is a large cent specialist may know something I do not.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

Andrew212
Coin Collector
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:39 pm
Has thanked: 14 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#35 Unread post by Andrew212 »

Thank you for that info Earl. I’ve done what you said and compared it on PCGS’ site. Weighed the coin, it’s 10.80 grams, and PCGS has it supposed to be 10.89gm, also I’m 98% sure it’s the 2nd Hairstyle. PCGS has arrows pointing at the way the curls turn on Lady Liberty’s head, which my coin matches. I also believe you are correct in the Rev of ‘97, as I compared my coin to PCGS’ examples. To be honest it feels real, the feeling in your hand, the color, the wear patterns, all of that. I’m going to send it in to have it at least slabbed in case it is real. 🤞🏻 No body bag!!

User avatar
Earle42
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 18927
Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:18 am
Location: OH
Has thanked: 1693 times
Been thanked: 5914 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#36 Unread post by Earle42 »

Before sending it in, if you want to keep the cash in your own pocket:
1. See if there is a 2nd hair style OBV mated with an 1897 REV shown on that site. If not, it becomes even more probable its a fake.

2. Check out the PCGS slabbed 1897 pennies and see if the REV on your penny is identical to ANY of the 1897 REVs shown in those pictures. If yours is its own 1897 pattern, then again you have a vote towards fake.

3. Post this at coincommunity.com in the proper section. They have large cent specialists there who probably, from experience in their specialty area, can tell you if yours is a legit variety.

And unless you are sending to ANACs, you are talking about spending a lot of money!

This forum is to help people learn about coins. I like being able to help them find the ways to ID their own things without defaulting to paying a company to do so just b/c the more you know from researching and learning, the better you know the hobby.

I will also add since most people know I have no love for the way the companies operate compared to what people think they offer, that I do trust the companies for telling fake coins. Although I also have found its not really a very hard thing to do with almost all of them when one is in hand...which is why I suspect the companies can get it right.
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8

How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?

2trill2kill
Coining Around
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:34 pm

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#37 Unread post by 2trill2kill »

Found this last week in a roll from my first box I've gotten from the bank!

User avatar
SensibleSal66
Coin Master
Posts: 9132
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2020 8:06 am
Location: Connecticut
Has thanked: 5300 times
Been thanked: 3100 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#38 Unread post by SensibleSal66 »

2trill2kill wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 4:47 am Found this last week in a roll from my first box I've gotten from the bank!
Hello and Welcome to the community! Do you have Pics? :doh:
Member of CONECA
" All replies are my opinion based on experience"
Casual Collector 40+ years , 10 years Error coins ( still learning).

Iceresistance
Coin Expert
Posts: 1488
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:49 pm
Location: Tecumseh, OK
Has thanked: 274 times
Been thanked: 355 times

Re: What is your oldest coin/bill finds in the wild?

#39 Unread post by Iceresistance »

I recently found a 1940-S Jefferson Nickel on the ground near the High School Ag building.
You are never too old to learn something new

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post