1878 Shield Nickel Proof - For Grading

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 536
fortcollins Pillar of the Community United States 3046 Posts	Posted 04/12/2025 12:01 pm This proof-only date coin is from a partial 1878 proof set that I acquired way back in the day. The rest of the coins were sold some time back. When I bought them, the coins had not been stored in ideal conditions, though they have lived lives of comfort since then. Frankly, I forgot I had these. I'm concerned about the obverse and reverse carbon spots on this one. I'd welcome all thoughts and opinions. I have additional detailed photos, if needed. Thanks! Report this Post to the Staff

numismatic student Bedrock of the Community United States 10945 Posts	Posted 04/16/2025 6:12 pm PR65. I don't think the carbon spots affect the grade but do affect the eye appeal and value. IN NECESSARIIS UNITAS - IN DUBIIS LIBERTAS - IN OMNIBUS CARITAS My coin e-commerce website:https://fairfaxcoins.com Report this Post to the Staff
fortcollins Pillar of the Community United States 3046 Posts	Posted 04/16/2025 6:25 pm The carbon spots are in bad locations, too. There are quite a few beautiful examples of this date, and this definitely isn't one of them. The proofs from this era have taken a beating on the market recently, too. There just aren't that many collectors looking for the proofs. Report this Post to the Staff
jacrispies Pillar of the Community United States 3699 Posts	Posted 04/17/2025 1:25 pm Can't visualize any contact marks or hairlines on this coin. But I would estimate at MS-64 or 65. Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: https://goccf.com/t/434955 Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. Report this Post to the Staff
panzaldi Bedrock of the Community United States 17522 Posts	Posted 04/20/2025 10:29 am FC are these scans? the reason I ask is that these are really tough to determine surfaces and what the coin actually looks like in hand. NS is correct about the carbon spots. I have a few coins graded by PCGS that have a couple small carbon spots and still pulled a 65. I'm thinking so long as they are not all over the coin which would reduce eye appeal they overlook them. without seeing the actual surfaces PF64 or 65. I'm leaning 64 only because of the weak leaves on the upper 1/4 of the obv Report this Post to the Staff
fortcollins Pillar of the Community United States 3046 Posts	Posted 04/20/2025 1:53 pm These aren't scans. They are USB scope photos, using indirect lighting. The surface is milky, with a film of some type in areas. There is luster, but it is subdued. The devices have some frost, especially on the reverse, but nowhere near enough to have a discussion about a CAM. The obverse has a bit of golden toning, but the reverse is gray and lifeless. They were stored in a leather coin purse for probably close to 100 years. The coins apparently had been wrapped in cotton, but not well enough to keep them from the effects of the tanned leather. The Twenty Cent from this set was a beauty, though. These three are essentially freebies, because the entire deal was about flipping the Twenty Cent. I agree. They will take a hard knock on value. Report this Post to the Staff
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