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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,878 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3347 Posts |
iPhone snapshots aren't the greatest pictures, but this will give you an idea. The damage is self-evident. The bend comes from a good smash across the face, from the mouth to the hair bun. It looks like whoever dug this was working freely with a pickaxe. The silvery gouge on the reverse is due to reflection, and it's golden in-hand. The weight is 8.0 grams, which is about right for the wear and abuse.   I used a modern quarter to rub against because the metal is harder. I'm working on the obverse of the half eagle right now. At this point, the only effect is high point polishing on the rim Cuds and the bust. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/04/2019 6:48 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Very tough coin, fascinating project. Have you sought any advice on improving this?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3347 Posts |
Nothing other than the old adage coinfrog. It will always be a pocket coin. I'm just trying to smooth off the sharp metal edges. Any other ideas? If it graded it'd be about F-12 or 15, but the bend and deep gouges pretty well finish it off. Maybe if I work it down to an AG, but that would take years....
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/04/2019 6:59 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
Let me get this straight, you have a "nice" but beat up $5 gold piece, that you are trying to wear down, trying your best to make it into an AG grade coin? Am I missing something here?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3347 Posts |
This "details" coin has two virtues merclover. Rarity and bullion value. I don't think it would straight grade even if were worn to AG3, due to the edge damage and the bend. When I got it, it would snag cloth.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/05/2019 07:54 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3347 Posts |
I will carl, but not today. I've given them beat up cc Morgans and cobs. So far only one of them has caught the collecting bug.
That coin is 200x scarcer than a 1916-D Mercury. They wouldn't appreciate that....they'd sell it to buy Magic cards....
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/06/2019 10:53 am
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
its rare enough that I would leave it alone. Sell it to someone who does not mind the condition.
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Moderator
 United States
190135 Posts |
Interesting project. Keep us updated!  |
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Valued Member
United States
469 Posts |
It will never get a straight grade. Looks like a road kill coin.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
 With jonnin . I would have left it alone and put it on the bay emphasizing how rare it is .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3347 Posts |
Since posting this, it's been in my pocket with other coins, and is now pretty smoothed on the edges. In attempting to flatten it I dented it some more, but it does lay flat now. The original purchase price is now melt value. The original ebay seller didn't get any added value for the rarity. I haven't seen another one in any condition in the last six months. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
04/13/2020 10:15 am
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New Member
United States
48 Posts |
I'll definitely put my vote toward leaving it alone, I'm sure there are collectors out there who can't afford a straight grade but would still like to own that kind of rarity. Heck, at the right price, I'd have a hard time saying no, gold rush SF gold always catches my attention.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1962 Posts |
If the goal is to try to make the piece halfway respectable, maybe have a jeweler or similar who's good with metalwork try to work on minimizing/repairing the big problems (file down the edge issues, maybe touch up some of those field ticks). Once that's done, THEN pocket piece it some (though not down to AG!) to restore a more honest look to the surfaces after whatever "help" it gets.
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Valued Member
United States
287 Posts |
Whether people are for or against it, I can't deny this is a pretty neat little experiment, haven't seen anything quite like it yet. Good on you for the progress you made, it's a relief that the coin was already details so not too much value was lost.
YGP
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,878 |
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First Page
Posted 10/04/2019 6:52 pm
