VALUE OF SCARCE COINS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 17, 26 January 1878, Page 2

VALUE OF SCARCE COINS.

Ok all tho decimal United States coins the most valuable is the silver dollar of 1804, which is excessively rare. Specimens are worth from 8500 to Si 000 each, according to the nearness with which they approach perfection. The coinage of this year was verv limited, ami there were no more dollars coined until 1830'. "Proofs" of the last named year are worth about $lO, and good examples, S3. There was nothing done in dollars in 1837, and the issues of ls:>8 and 183!) are rare- enough to raise the ([notation for good specimens to S4O each. From that date forward to 1.570, when the trade dollar came in, there was no break in the line of dollars, but from 1850 to 1856, inclusive, they are quoted as " rare " or " scarce," those of 1851 and 1852 being worth 835 or S4O each. Previous to 1804 the value of a " good " specimen varies from $ 1 75, for 1700, to j>s for 1798, and $4 for 1801, save that the first date of all (1794), which is very rare, brings s.">o. Some of the early dates are made peculiarly valuable by reason of variation in the number and style of stars, etc., there being three varieties of 1708, and five of 1705.

Of the silver half dollars, those of 1700 and 1707 are the most valuable, choice extmiples of these dates being worth from §ls to §2O. Good ones of other years previous to ISOli will bring from 4,2 to S4. One of this class of 1815 is quoted at §2 50, and then they are of little rarity until 1836, when a specimen with reeded edge and head of 1837 is valued at g3 or $4. The other issue of this year is worth §l. The next dates of note are 1830, 1851, and 1852, valued at $1 30, $2 50, and §3 respectively. More recent dates are only valuable to collectors when in perfect condition, " proofs" of later issues only being desired, and they range in worth from $1 25 to §B.

Quarter dollars arc likewise a speculative issue, and therefore favorites with dealers, particularly the dates 1823 and 1827, which arc excessively rare, and command from $45 to $75 each. The 1853 issue without arrows is also much Bought after, fair specimens bringing from $0 to §B. Tho only other dates worth over $ 1 for "good" examples are: 1824, SI 50; 1822, $2; 1819, $1 75; 1815, $2; 1807, $2; 1806, $2; 1805, §1 50; 1804, $4, and 1726, $4. Silver dimes are still more valuable as a class than the quarters, their smaller size and more general circulation having made good specimens rather scarce in all the earlier dates. From 1828 back to 1796 they range in worth from $1 to §7, except in five instances. The high rates aro: 1824, $2 50; 1822, $5; 1811, $2 50; 1809, §0; 1807, $2; 1803, $3; 1802, $0; 1801, $5; 1800, $7; 1798. go; 1797, $5, and 1796, $3. An 1840 with a draped figure of Liberty like 1841, is worth sl, and is a good issue of 1846.

Of all the minor coins, however, nn 1802 half dime is tho chief in cost, the j>rice ranging from $75 to S2OO, accord. ing to quality. A good specimen of many other dates is, nevertheless, a handy thing to have, as will be noted by the following quotations: 1794, $4"; 179(1. $4; 1797, JO; MOO, $1 25; 1801

$6; 130S, |4; 1804, $4; IMO (with draperv;, $1; 18+6. S l «& From tiia ' Uato until 1873, when the coining closed, no unuvaal worth attache*, to this class. A first-class specimen of the last-named date is worth fifty-cents, however.

For the three-cent silver pieces there is hut little speculative enll, as their period only reaches from 1831 to 1870, including both these years. By far the most valuable of nil of them is the 1855, a perfect specimen of which is worth $2. From 1863 to 1869 an uncirculated one is worth fifty cents. All the other dates arc of small value. —" Boston Post."