I have recently seen an item (like this) only off-centered enough that the outer edge of one of the chain loops was running off the edge and there was a noticeable space between the edge of the coin and the chain 180 degrees away from that point, and wondered about the principles involved in evaluation.
Ordinarily, condition, supply and demand enter into the equation, but I also know some specific error coins — 1937D “three-legged buffalo” nickel or the 1955 double die cents are worth considerably more than other coins of the same date and mintmark in much better shape.
I suspect when you get into such high-end old coins as the Fugio, condition is way more important than any error interest, but that’s way beyond my eperience level, and the Internet sites on error coins all show 20th Century or later examples.
Could some professional numismatist chime in here and fight my ignorance?
Sounds like it’s not off-center enough to affect the price. If it were 1/4-1/3 off center, then you’d have a piece that would be very collectible and pricey as a dramatic error.
Also entering into the equation is the fact that most early coins come less than perfectly centered. A bust half dollar of the 1807-36 type in average condition is about a $60-100 item. If struck very slightly off center(1/16), then it is still a minor error and does little to affect the price. At 1/4 off center, it perhaps is a $200-500 collectible.
Fugios are about the most hotly collected early coppers and come poorly/irregularly struck. I get about one per year these days, and it sells within the week I put it out, even if I price it a bit high.