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 Replies: 21 / Views: 3,303 |
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Valued Member
United States
210 Posts |
OK, this one doesn't win any white luster awards (although some like 'em toned) but disturbingly it has a fingerprint  . That's gotta hurt the grade. Anyone see evidence of an old cleaning? Grrrr says the bear  . Details?    I will follow up on all of these posts when I get the PCGS grades. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7187 Posts |
I have a thumb print (my own) on a Grant half, when your young you make mistakes.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3077 Posts |
just a guess AU58 but I could be wrong and it go for an MS62+ and I am only using eye appeal as the basis for this
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Moderator
 United States
15396 Posts |
This is a nice coin that all would enjoy.  History records that the 1936-S Bay Bridge half dollar was available for purchase to the public at the toll booth approaches to the bridge ... for $1.50 ... and I say your AU50 example might have been originally acquired that way. The thumbprint of the obverse portrait is distracting ... but the clue to grading this particular issue is the busy reverse ... Note the obvious reverse circulation wear ... best seen in the honest wear evident on the image of Yerba Buena Island .. at the top of the reverse ... many other wear points could be mentioned. I say PCGS AU50 ... and do not be disappointed if the obverse thumbprint brings a 'details' grade ... which it might IMHO. David |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12258 Posts |
I would agree with nickelsearcher, the reverse of the coin shows honest wear from top to bottom and definitely moves this coin out of the MS range. The bear's face on the obverse also shows signs of metal loss. All that said, it's still a coin that allows the inherent attractiveness of the coin to show through.
I have wondered about the impact of finger prints myself. I have seen silver and copper coins in graded PCGS (and NGC) holders with obvious finger prints -- one was a commem graded MS-66! I have also heard, however, of coins with prints being returned without grades. I'm definitely curious to see how this one pans out.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
 with nickelsearcher with all of his comments. I have a nice white example of this coin in perhaps MS63, with full lustre. Edited by sel_69l
04/05/2012 8:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
I am going to say XF45 to AU50, primarily due to the wear that nearly wipes out the clock on the Ferry Building and the fairly significant wear on the north side of the Ferry Building itself compared to AU 50-55 examples I've seen. The marks on the bear's front left leg that don't appear to be fingerprints are of concern too.
This is a very interesting issue to me and one I'm searching for myself in appealing circulated condition. Note that I could be way off so please take no offense. I actually have never seen one graded XF45, so that's an indication of my qualifications right there. More than most commemorative issues, I find this one fascinating as I have seen stunning MS examples and ones that are downright ugly (IMO) that grade the same.
Anyway, hope I'm wrong and you get a clean AU grade.
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Moderator
United States
187862 Posts |
Despite the fingerprint, I think this coin has some lovely eye appeal. Also, knowing this coin may have been used as nickelsearcher described is an added bonus for me. Thank you for sharing. |
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Valued Member
 United States
210 Posts |
This is the first time I've ever submitted coins for grading, anywhere, and these will be my first and only graded examples. I have few more grade-worthy candidates but they may never see a slab (in my lifetime). This series is so unique I thought it deserved "special protection". And maybe my kids won't sell it as bullion!  What a great learning experience thanks to everyone's contributions. This is all for fun and I'm enjoying every minute! Up next, a blast white coin with a mintage of 29,030  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
It looks like it did circulate a little, given the finger prints on it. Good luck with the grade submission.
Can't wait to see your next coin.
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Valued Member
United States
210 Posts |
OK, so it seems PCGS likes toned commemoratives. Or maybe it was the flowers I sent to the graders  Or could it be my photos don't do the coin justice? Everyone, including myself, missed this call (or was it PCGS that whiffed it?  ) MS65  |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12258 Posts |
Please take no offense, but I'm very surprised at the MS-65 grade for this one. Great for you, but it does make me wonder. The only thing I can think of is that what we here saw as wear in your images was actually the result of a weaker strike.
Again, great news for you!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
If PCGS have graded this coin at MS65, my confidence in PCGS has taken a hammering.
Three strikes for PCGS like this one for me, and they are out!
Hope that doesn't hapen........
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Moderator
United States
15396 Posts |
Geepers Bill ... if that is PCGS MS65 then what I am seeing on the coin as wear (reverse in particular) must be toning. I suppose that is possible ... so let's do a little bit of detective work ... You have the coin back in hand ... so flip it over to the reverse and take a good luck for us at the Oakland shoreline at the top of the coin. By your photo this portion of the coin show circulation wear ... but PCGS must have seen just toning. Sooo ... is there original mint luster behind that shoreline toning? There must be if this is PCGS MS65. Sure fooled me. David |
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Valued Member
United States
210 Posts |
Don't have in hand yet, so until that happens I'm relying on what they say. Shipped out today so it won't be long. Maybe they got my order mixed up with nickelsearcher or commems'? The 25th Anniversary ASE broke the TPG's spirit? It's got Franklin D. Roosevelt's thumbprint on it? Maybe these will help? I've enhanced them slightly for better contrast.   |
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Valued Member
United States
268 Posts |
If I had a coin like that I would love it do you have it in a 2 by 2?Or are you going to put it in a slab?
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Replies: 21 / Views: 3,303 |
Posted 04/05/2012 6:41 pm
