J-149 Pattern Cent

[James D Cleaveland]

I recently purchased this coin on ebay. By all appearances, it's probably a J-149 pattern cent made in 1853. The coin measures 18.02 mm and weighs 3.9 grams, or 60.19 grains if my conversion is correct. Do you test a coin like this for metal content before conservation, since this coin could be (1) J-149 40% nickel, 40% copper and 20% zinc (2) J-150 30% nickel, 60% copper and 10% zinc (3) J-151 40% nickel and 60% copper or (4) a discovery find of 100% copper? Would your conservation methods be safe regardless of the metal content of the coin?

 

Would the bump on the nose keep this coin from being graded by NGC?

Would NGC indicate on the slab if this was a "Discovery" Coin and assign a new Judd number?

Would notations be made of the numerous cud and die breaks?

Should I indicate a Varietyattribution on the submission form for this type of coin?

 

Thanks,

Doug

[CHRISS]

We do take into consideration a coin's metallic content when we conserve it. There are techniques and chemicals we use that are good for one type of coinage metal but will not be effective for others. Generally on a piece such as yours, only those techniques that are safe and effective for all of the metallic content possibilities would be used. If the metallic content would be an issue, we do have the resources available to us to have a non-destructive metallic content test performed.

 

For certification of a coin such as yours where metallic content makes a matters and the differences may not be immediately apparent, we can have a non-destructive test performed to determine the metallic content. There is an additional fee for this service.

 

Should it be a discovery piece, that would be noted, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Much additional research would have to be performed before we would be even close to making that claim.

 

Generally die breaks and cuds will not be noted on a label. These breaks would have to be very significant to get any special designation.

 

Attribution of a pattern coin is an automatic part of the grading process. In this case you would not have to specify Variety Plus service.

 

Chris, NCS

[James D Cleaveland]

What would the additional fee be, and how should I fill out the submission sheet to indicate what should take place. After conservation it would be my wish to have the coin graded and slabbed by NGC.

 

thanks, JDC

[CHRISS]

The fees for conservation are a percentage of your declared value. The total conservation fee is 3% or your declared value with a minimum of $15 per coin for coins valued up to $25,000.

 

To have your coins forwarded to NGC for grading, simply mark the box on the NCS form labeled "Submit all coins for grading." When this box is marked, those coins that will grade with NGC will be transferred under the most economical tier based on value and type.

 

To receive Variety Plus service, check the box identified as such in the coin information section of the form. The fee for this service is an extra $7.

 

If you are requesting any other special services, such as the non-destructive metallic content test, or if you have any specific concerns over the conservation of your coin, make a note in the extra space on the form or attach a separate note.

 

Chris, NCS