1802 penny 0

[Nuttifers_mind]

My late father in law had this coin shoved in a drawer. Is it worth getting graded?? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Edited July 26, 2020 by Nuttifers_mind
New pic

[Just Bob]

This appears to be one of the less common varieties, Breen-14, AKA Sheldon-234/Bowers-Whitman-5, estimated existing population : 200 to 300. That should make it worth a little more to an EAC collector than a generic 1802, but you have the problem of those scratches on the obverse. They are probably less pronounced in hand than they appear in the pictures, but I am still not sure it would grade problem-free. I think it would probably get a "Very Good Details," or "Fine Details" grade, which would put it in the AG to G price range. Probably not worth the expense of having it graded. It would make a decent coin for a type set, or a good example for a variety collector, until you could find an upgrade. Don't clean it or try to approve it's appearance in any way. Cleaning will erase most of what value it has.

By the way, if it is, in fact, B-14, that is not rim damage above the B in LIBERTY. It is a rim die break (cud), caused by an early die clash.

Welcome to the forum.

[Thompson2]

And just so you don't get any crazy ideas, don't try to get rid of scratches, shine, clean or otherwise try to "fix" any of the problems with the coin.  You will only decrease the value.  

[Coinbuf]

It will not grade problem free, in addition to the scratches as mentioned there is also corrosion and pitting which still looks active.  It is a good coin for an album filler and there is a market for coins like yours, just don't expect to retire off it.

[James_OldeTowne]

I would not get it certified if financial concerns are most important.  Keep the grading fee for yourself, for a future numismatic purchase.