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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,548 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Well I was excited to find such a nice looking coin in the family stash. Since most of the coins I've been examining are very worn, I'm very unpracticed at grading MS specimens, which this appears to be. Looks like a very good strike and I see no major blemishes and few bag marks. Based on these pics, what grade do you think it rates?   |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12258 Posts |
Would it be possible to provide images taken under less harsh/more balanced lighting? The brightness of the images is washing away some of the coin's details and making it difficult to estimate a grade (at least for me).
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2480 Posts |
I'll try again tomorrow. I have houseguests-- my little photo station is temporarily dismantled. Had to put thin while plastic over the camera flash to tone it down this much.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
 I look forward to the updated pics - this really looks like it has possibilities. |
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Moderator
United States
15398 Posts |
 .... looking forward to the updated photos David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Sigh, it is NOT easy to take pictures of large shiny coins. I really need to have the camera mounted on something. I'm having to hover over the coin and the motion is affecting focus. Need to work on aperture settings too. I'm thinking of upgrading my camera body to one that allows live viewing on the computer. That would be really great... Any, perhaps these shots are marginally better. At least they're not as harshly lit but the focus still leaves a lot to be desired. I'm going to post a second Stone Mountain coin on a separate thread after updating this post. It's not quite as nice. Will also post an 1893 Columbian Expedition. Thanks for looking. I appreciate your opinions!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
No opinions? :( Are the pictures still inadequate?
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
Personally, I don't see any wear marks. There is one small ding on the rim obverse ~7:30, but that should not affect grade. I want to guess it has been dipped  I would guess would grade in high EF, almost AU. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Thanks for the input, Fuzzy. If there is no wear, why not MS? What's holding it back?
Not sure what to think RE dipping. The luster looks natural in hand. This coin, unlike most of the rest in the accumulation, was in a non-PVC 2x2 so it wasn't exposed to the elements as much as the rest of our bunch.
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I like the coin, as you can probably could tell from my avatar. (I currently have 5) It could have been dipped before it was put in the 2x2. Its just odd/strange for it to have no toning or other spots of being handled. It looks like there was a small hit on the horse's front legs, or it may be a reflection. |
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Moderator
United States
15398 Posts |
It's truly a tough putt to attempt to grade any coin by photographs ... but I am willing to offer me views based on what I can see in the two photos under different lighting conditions ...
The coin is genuine and MS-something ... high points of the design do not by photograph show any circulation rub.
I am not concerned by the lack of toning ... Your photos do not display the luster remaining ... assuming the surfaces are not dull and lifeless than IMHO the concern about over-dipping is not in play here.
To the technical grade question ... the obverse has a rather significant rim hit at 8pm ... look directly across from the legend "Stone Mountain". There are various minor chatter marks on the obverse fields and portraits ... note the front leg of horse and the body of the horse behind General Lee horse blanket.
Same can be said for the reverse ... minor chatter marks here and there ... you can surely see them for yourself with the coin in hand ...
My view is MS63.
Lovely coin ... and a great addition from your family collection.
David
Edited for spllegning
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artEdited by nickelsearcher
02/15/2013 7:33 pm
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,548 |
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Posted 02/13/2013 8:55 pm
