Help...is This 1889 CC Real?

I wouldnt normally buy non certified coins, but I am not around to actually see the coin. My mom is up in Boston at an antique show and found this. He is asking $4,500 and claims its AU+. From what I can tell its probably xf45 maybe AU50. However the readbook says the price would be 6500 for AU. So my questions are A) is this real? B) is the AU or what is the grade? and C) is this a good deal?

This would be an upgrade for my ag3 CC, but I still need to find the gold for 1889. I am trying to do a year set (rough year I know) since I was born in 1989. Finally do you think gold coins would be a better buy? Thanks everyone!

It's really difficult to determine by the quality of the pictures. But even if it was undoubtedly genuine, you could get a nice one without details, slabbed and graded for that kind of money.

That's what I would do at least. I personally don't like purchasing coins without seeing them first, so with a key date like that, I would definitely have to be there to view it myself.

It is a big risk at buying a coin like that, that isn't slabbed by one of the big 3, since it is such an expensive coin.

The main reason I wouldn't buy a gold coin now is that most gold coins are selling around bullion value or a little more and if gold ever takes a big drop in the future, so will the price of the coin. And since gold is at such a high price, it can take a huge drop in 5-10+ years from now. It is a gamble, if you are looking at what it would be worth in many years from now.

roger that




some good advice

Thanks guys. I definitely have my doubts about why a such a key date coin wouldn't be graded, and that mm just looks off. Without being there in person to see it, I think I am just going to have to pass. If the dealer had a no questions asked return policy I may reconsider, but I can picture a lot of hassle and headaches in the future.

I would stay away from this coin. I can't say for sure but from the fuzzy pictures the mintmark style may not be correct. What I really don't like is the cleaned the area around the mintmark. The cleaned patch around the mintmark may be a sign that someone has worked on it and is trying to hide their work. In general, one needs to be especially careful with cleaned coins of key dates as this is something many counterfeiters do in order to hide their work. Here is an ANACS article on authenticating this coin.

I'm just curious if your mom was up at the Brimfield show today because this is a coin that I would like to take a look at if it has not been sold.

Actually yes she is indeed up at Brimfield show with my sister. I believe the place was called Best Antiques. Have a look at it and tell us what you think!

Let's say for the sake of argument that it was slobbed. Why would you want a coin "guaranteed genuine, with strange surfaces in the mm area"?