Re-engraved large early large cents

[RH-migration]

How is the best way to tell if some of the early large cents have been re-engraved or have been strengthened in the hair or bust areas.

[RMontgomery]

RH,

 

This is a great question and is an area that can be challenging for many experts. The first line of defense is knowing what the original design accurately looks like. Many times with engraved coins, the exact design elements are not true to the original design and will be an immediate tip off that something is amiss. This is especially true when the engraving has occurred in the hair detail of the suspected coin.

 

Another indication that something might be wrong is if the coin appears to have the apparent wear patterns of a low grade piece, yet has unnaturally strong details in only one particular area. Many times, while engraving has occurred on the hair strands, thus making the coin look like an XF or AU, the reverse may have flattened leaf details resembling a coin more likely to be in the F or VG grade area. If you encounter a disparity like this, certainly allow that to be a red flag and look to make sure if an engraving has occurred. Certainly, there are instances when worn dies have been switched out during minting production that could cause extreme differences in detail, but for the most part, you would expect the wear patterns to be uniform from obverse to reverse.

 

Should you have any doubts about a coin of this nature, definitely have it inspected by an expert in that particular series' field or have a respected certification company check it out for you.

 

Rick Montgomery