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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,200 |
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Valued Member
Canada
449 Posts |
Hey everyone, I'm a Canadian with a fascination for classic American coins. The following scans are some recent purchases I made, and I was wondering if the grading is indeed what it's marked at. This wasn't a huge purchase so I'm not too worried about what the actual grading is, it's just more for my personal knowlege and accuracy in what I see.   Thanks in advance for any help with this. Secoined I was too hasty and posted 2 images of the reverse. Oops. Edited by secoinedchance
01/24/2012 11:15 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
Those grades look about right.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6391 Posts |
Images are too small for reasonable accuracy in grading. Your coins are all heavily worn so grades in the Good to (maybe) Very Good range are likely. I'd venture to say the 1899 Liberty nickel might be overgraded at Good because it looks like the obverse stars are partly worn away. When the features around the rim of a coin (like stars or the "United States of America" legend) are worn off you are entering the AG (about good) territory. The Barber half shows some wear into the rim but the stronger obverse would still qualify it as Good. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
All in all, I think that you did just fine.
Some hints at grading:
On the nickel, the word "Liberty" is VERY important. The "i" MUST show. No "i", no Fine. Check that 1912 again.
It may be weak but it must be visible.
On the half, I like it. It is a good in my book. The reverse of this design was very prone to wear out before the obverse. Also, see if any of the letters in "Liberty" show. Even one letter turns an ordinary good into a special good.
And in general, a 1912-d nickel and a 1909 cent are two dates which stand out to me as being a tad "special." Both are nice.
None appear to be cleaned and all are honest.
Matthew
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Valued Member
 Canada
449 Posts |
Thanks so much for your time. This has been a big learning curve for me. Not whole lot different from Canadian grading, but the subtleties are very important.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1432 Posts |
Quote:
All in all, I think that you did just fine  Good start on your collection. I especially like the Barber Half. Nothing better than classic silver. Except for gold  |
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Valued Member
Canada
449 Posts |
Yeah, I'd agree with that. I have an 1862 Princess head dollar F-VF (depending on your own opinion) She's a special lady in my collection
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
From what I can see, most would range G-VG+
and your prices looked reasonable. Nice!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
Canada
449 Posts |
I'm beginning to seriously like my mailman. Here's what he brought me today...     The matchup is picture 1 and 3, 2 and 4. I like the 61 myself. Look like pretty even VG with the exception of the 61 may be a VG+ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
all nice coins. Cents and nickels are some of my favorite coins. and the barbers are also one of my favorite types. nice set of franklins you have there too. I think they are good starter coins for practicing your grading skills.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Benjamin Franklin and the Eagle One of the stories told about the early days of the US relates that B. Franklin had a strong dislike of the idea that an eagle be chosen as a symbol of the country. He considered the eagle to be too much a reminder of European Monarchies. "... the wild turkey is a noble bird" is a quote attributed to him. Well, as the story goes, when John R. Sinnock designed this coin he took Mr. Franklin's opinion to heart and deliberately made the eagle as small as he could and still meet the requirement that an eagle appear on the reverse. To this day I cannot look at a Franklin half without thinking about this bit of history. You should tip your mailman next Christmas! Matthew |
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Valued Member
Canada
449 Posts |
What an awesome bit of history....have you looked at the eagle closely? He seems to be a tad cartoonish (I don't mean any disrespect, it's just not as majestic as on other coins) , flexing his muscles. That struck me right away when I was looking at these coins magnified.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
And secoindchance,
The top of the Liberty Bell shows the name of the manufacturer of the bell. This is considered to be the only American coin which portrays a commercial concern. "An advertisement" if you will. While difficult to see it is there as it is on the original bell in Philadelphia.
"Cartoonish" is a good description of the eagle. It is hard to believe that this was done by accident.
Matthew
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Valued Member
United States
421 Posts |
Got to love on your mailman. Very nice way to go about a start of a continue of collecting US coinage. I would say the grading is pretty much spot on and I would like to also comment that the prices seem pretty good~! Keep up the good work and keep posting more new pics as the mailman brings them...! |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,200 |
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Posted 01/24/2012 11:27 am
