Expert: PAPAJACK - 9/21/2007

Question
A friend has 2 coins that I told her I'd help research for value. The first is a large copper US cent dated 1842 that has a Liberty bust with stars - excellent condition. The other is a Half Cent dated 1810 with Liberty embossed on the lady's headband. Any value here? Thanks so much.

Answer
Hello Toni,                      

I can only give you a range of values for these coins. They cannot be accurately appraised without seeing the coins.
Coins are valued on a scale from 1 to 70. And on how rare a particular coin is. With no or little experience it is sometimes easier letting another collector look at them, and even most coin shops will help for free on one or two pieces.
 
In each series of coin type there are some quick reference points of wear to be seen on the high points that are known to show wear first.
Most of these are covered in the RED BOOK. If you can borrow a copy it will help. The grading details it describes at the start of each coin series is taken from the American Numismatic Association Standard. And uses the 1 to 70 scale recognized by all professionals since the 1970's.

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Uncirculated (grade-AU50) on the scale.

The 1810 Half cent;
Grade 4 gets about $30
Grade 8   about $45
Grade 12  $ 60 to $100
Grade 20  $120 to $200
Grade 40  $200 to $400
Grade 50  $600 to $1000

The 1842 large cent;
Grade  4 about  $9
Grade  8 about $20
Grade 12 about $30
Grade 20 about $40
Grade 40 about $50
Grade 50 about $180

Yours could be more or less depending on grade and eye appeal. These are approximate values for coins with no problems.

If you want to pursue it and need help grading your coin feel free to write me back. Giving one coin type at a time that you need grading standards on.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Feel free to ask another question about US Coins.

Good Luck

PapaJack