1893 Isabella Grade And Thoughts Please.

The LCS doesn't like the color. He wants to get rid of it. I will study a few more images of like coins online, then check it out in hand one more time.

I can get it for around $195.00
i would send it to PCGS myself.

Basically, if you're not 100% the surfaces are original and not cleaned, you shouldn't buy it raw.

Grading moderns is nonsense, but grading for old commems like this is essential unless you are an expert yourself.

Based on the images provided, I see an original surfaces lightly circulated AU example. I'm not a particular fan of the dark toning ... but to each their own.

David

Yeah I'm curious as well

Just caught up on reading some posts and wanted to follow up on my thoughts on this coin.

Here's a story, so sit back and relax.

A few months ago I hired a new employee for the warehouse, he's my new controller. Great kid.

So one day at lunch I start talking to him about coins and showed him my pocket piece. Educated him on the basics of coin collecting etc.
He said he has a good friend that's a "HUGH" collector and has been collecting since he was 9.
"Wow" I said, "he must have a nice collection"
My new employee said, "that's an understatement"

"I would love to meet your buddy some day, hook me up", I said.

"Oh...he lives in Florida, doesn't come home much."

"What's he do?" I asked.

"He's a grader for NGC"

My eyes almost blew out of my sockets..."Really"


I asked if I could send him pics to get his thoughts on this coin.
"Absolutely" was the response.

So I sent him these pics to get his thoughts.
He said...High AU, might make low MS in hand.
Hard to tell if it's been cleaned from the photos.
The price is right if it's not cleaned.

SOOOOOOOO
This weekend I hope to convince my wife to head to town and check out some coins. If the LCS will let me purchase said coin with a return policy....I'll pick it up. Send it to my new NGC buddy, who currently has 6 of my coins to "look" at. If he says it's legit and not cleaned, I'll send it in to PCGS to grade

If's it's been cleaned, return it and get my money back.
LCS has a real nice Pilgrim Commem the money would go towards.

That is the current status of this piece.
Stay tuned.

Sometimes it is hard to tell if a coin has been cleaned. There is difference of opinion about what "cleaning" means. Some people think just dipping a coin and removing little bits of grime with a que tip is cleaning. I guess the safest thing to do is just to not do anything with a coin you buy for serious money. I am wondering why this coin was not slabbed to being with by dealer?

Thank you for getting us up to date!

till next time

Not the ending we expected, but at least you found something else to fill the void.