picked up this beaut this morning... I grade it as a nice XF+/AU

mmm... chocolate.

A fantastic specimen.

MD - Do you ever get this neat feeling when you handle these things, their being so old, from the beginning of the United States, when it was some upstart Republic on the fringes of civilisation?

A 1797 Large Cent was my first pre-1800 coin, when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I can remember the feeling I had when I got it, for $4.95 out of a junk box. Mine has EF details, but is porous.

i do get that feeling... the story of this coin has to be incredible... for someone to keep this coin squirreled away for so long and for it to end up in my possession... just amazes me

What a spectacular coin! Is it for sale?

it tis...

I'll give the fount AU-55 the back EF-45 so overall AU-50 that is a nice coin

Gorgeous example....I'm looking to start collecting Draped Bust cents.

That is a great looking coin. I love copper coins of all kinds

I want it I want it! Sigh...

Scottishmoney, you found one of these old classics (although of course in much worse shape) in a junk box? Now you've got me really jealous. Please tell me you found it outside the US. ;-)

Out of curiosity, is this one an S-138?

it is the 138

I found it in a coin shop in Wellesley, Massachusetts when I was a kid. Actually I would say it might net Very Fine, but with porosity. The darkness of the coin is what probably cast it off in the junkbox.

Wow. Ok. Well, I suppose it makes sense you found it on the East Coast. I'd be really p*ssed if you'd found it here in California. ;-)