NEW BOOK: U.S. COIN DIE VARIETIES

 

U.S. Coin Die Varieties, Variety Identification and Pricing Guide
by Robert Powers

Volume One of a comprehensive variety identification or cherrypicking guide covering a combined total of the TOP 325+ MOST VALUABLE AND POPULAR U.S. Coin die marriages, varieties, and errors. This, the first Volume of two, covers Half Cents, Large Cents, Small Cents, Two Cents, Nickels, and Half Dimes.

Volume Two covers Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars, Dollars, and Gold coins.

While other guides may seem to cover the same ground, that is actually not the case, as the primary purpose of this guide is dedicated solely to covering a comprehensive list of coins that are actually popular in the marketplace, and most importantly – VALUABLE. Along the same line as above, one important criteria used in the selection of the coins in this guide is that the underlying (non-variety) coin will be affordable and accessible – in the majority of cases, anyway. To illustrate the point, most of what you will find in this guide could be found unattributed in your run of the mill coin dealer's case at a coin show, in various online venues, local coin shops, and so forth.

This two-part guide represents the 10th and 11th publications of a complete series of Variety Identification Guides covering Early U.S. Coins. A complete list of all of the author's previous publications to date are listed below. These will take you further in depth, and will cover both the common and rare varieties of each series. These guides can be located by running an internet search for the title and author's name, and are very highly recommended to contribute to expanding your numismatic knowledge to the maximum potential.

While this guide has been written with simplicity in mind, it is important to read this page before getting started in order to understand the information presented within.

 

The term ‘PUP' stands for ‘pick-up point' – this is simply a description given that is as short or as long and detailed as necessarily for one to differentiate the more common, underlying coin from the rare variety being discussed. In addition, commentary in regards to the coin's rarity or general remarks may or may not be included, depending on the coin being discussed.

The term ‘EOS' stands for ‘ease of sale' – this is a new system designed by the author which includes both pricing information for each grade listed, followed by a numerical score which indicates how easy the coin in that condition would be to sell at a fair market retail price (or wholesale price to a dealer). To illustrate the point, the pricing/EOS system is broken down as follows:

 

$ - The variety coin has very little to no premium over the underlying common coin in this grade.

$$ - The variety coin has a minor to somewhat modest premium over the underlying common coin in this grade.

$$$ - The variety coin has a solidly moderate premium over the underlying common coin in this grade.

$$$$ - The variety coin has a moderate to high premium over the underlying common coin in this grade.

$$$$$ - The variety coin has a high to very high premium over the underlying common coin in this grade.

$$$$$+ - The variety coin has an ultra-high premium over the underlying common coin in this grade.

While the variety may hold a high premium, this does not always guarantee that it is easy to sell in the marketplace, so followed by the $$$$$'s in the pricing line, a number 1 through 5 will be given, indicating the EOS or Ease of Sale score:

1 – Rather difficult to sell in the general market. Has a narrow market, and usually requires locating a specialist in the series – but, all you have to do is to look in the right place.

2 – Fairly difficult to sell in the general market, but the opportunities have opened up a bit to include some interest from a select few non-specialists.

3 – Getting easier to find a buyer, although it is not quite a mainstream coin just yet.

4 – At this score, the sales opportunities have opened up considerably. Plenty of non-specialists will be interested at the right price.

5 – The coin is either very mainstream and popular for what it is, or otherwise very desirable to a specialist for the grade. At this score, selling it will be an absolute breeze at a fair market value.

A rarity scale ranging from R1 up to R8 will be presented after many of the listings. Below is an explanation. The numbers in parenthesis are the number of known, or presumed to be known examples of the die marriage to have survived and in existence today. R1 - Very Common (1,000+) / R2 - Common (501-1,000) / R3 - Scarce (201-500) / R4 - Very Scarce (81-200) / R5 - Rare (31-80) / R6 - Very Rare (13-30) / R7 - Extremely Rare (4-12) / R8 - Unique, or nearly so (1-3).

The author of this book has had a strong interest in Early U.S. coins for over 30 years. He set out to write this series of books because he has wanted to read them for many years, and finally gave up on waiting for someone else to write them. Good luck!

For more information, or to order, see:
U.S. Coin Die Varieties, Variety Identification and Pricing Guide Volume 1, by Robert Powers (https://www.davidkahnrarecoins.com/u-s-coin-die-varieties-variety-identification-and-pricing-guide-volume-1-by-robert-powers.html)
U.S. Coin Die Varieties, Variety Identification and Pricing Guide Volume 2, by Robert Powers (https://www.davidkahnrarecoins.com/u-s-coin-die-varieties-variety-identification-and-pricing-guide-volume-2-by-robert-powers.html)

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