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 Replies: 16 / Views: 1,672 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1499 Posts |
This is one of those type coins that is not overly rare overall, but scarce in strict Mint State. There are a couple of reasons. First the mintage was very high on these pieces because the U.S. Mint system was pushing itself to replace all the coins that they had issued previously. The trouble was the California gold discoveries changed the value ratio between gold and silver. As a result every silver coin the mint had issued prior to 1853, except the lowing Silver Three Cent Piece, had a melt value that exceeded its face value. Congress lowered the weights and the mint marked that change with arrows beside the date, and for the quarter and half dollar in 1853, rays around the eagle. This high mintage prompted the mint to push as many coins it could from the dies and die wear became a problem. Second, collectors didn't set very many of these coins aside in Mint State. This was just before the "collector boom" which started in 1857 when the large cent ceased production. At any rate, here is my 1853 Arrows and Rays half dollar for your review.   Edited by billjones
08/12/2016 2:44 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3210 Posts |
Bill I see what your talking about with the heavily used dies. I see a ms63/64. Excellent luster awesome die cracks especially on the obverse. Nice coin in general.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1911 Posts |
Was looking for one of these for my birthday (instead bought a Thomas Kinkade Disney picture those things are beautiful). Was learning a little bit of the grading but definitely looks MS (duh). A very beautiful coin indeed!
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Valued Member
United States
431 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8137 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4471 Posts |
MS64 a wonderful original example.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36903 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I would have to agree, 63.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5686 Posts |
I'd go with MS-64. I like the LDS look with die cracks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1662 Posts |
Beautiful example, Bill.
MS-64.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
11922 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
311 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1499 Posts |
NGC graded this coin MS-64. Aside from the bias against dipped coins, this piece is an MS-64. The key question is could you grade this coin lower than MS-64? Some of you said yes, but go find an MS-63 coin with fewer marks and no rub. You won't.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 1,672 |
Posted 08/12/2016 10:17 am
