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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,669 |
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Hi, I am new to this forum, I am recently picking up my old habit as a collector and had a specific question about a commem I ran across today.
Specifically the 1935 Texas commemorative. Today I was in a coin shop and saw two solid looking coins. 1 was slabbed as a PCGS 65 and the other was raw, but even more pretty looking.
What I found weird was that both coins had a completely different luster. The slabbed was bright and shiny with basically no frosty appearance. The unslabbed was completely frosted and muted shine. Does anyone have experience with these coins? I am just getting back into collecting and trying to beef up my collections.
Of course the coin store owner was no help but I couldn't help but notice that 2 identical coins with totally different luster...Any guidance would be great!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7184 Posts |
The Texas half is a tough coin to figure. The design is so complex that it can be hard to judge. I would tend to go with a graded coin if I were to be making a purchase for "investment" but would go for a raw coin with the "look' for my personal set.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
What was the date and mint mark of each coin?
As the Texas half-dollars were struck over several years and at all three US Mint facilities (P/D/S), their luster characteristics vary. In general, you'll find that the first few years of the series tend to have a flashier luster than the later years which are often found with a more satiny finish.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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New Member
 United States
26 Posts |
Both 1935 no mint mark. Both great looking coins. 65 dollar price difference between slabbed and raw. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:Both 1935 no mint mark. OK, another possible explanation is that the more muted piece has been dipped. Another possibility concerns when a particular coin was struck within a die's useful "life." Coins struck with fresh dies can sometimes take on a proof-like appearance while coins struck late in a die's life will often not have the same sharpness or flash. It's difficult to provide a more definitive answer without seeing images. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Thanks Commems.
I'm still thinking about it, to my novice eye, the muted coin was so nice looking; with basically no scratch or any other types of marks. I didn't consider that it might be dipped. The luster looked great but I was so thrown off by the flashy luster of the slabbed coin next to it. May just stay away and wait for another one to pop up that I have a better gut feeling about.
Thanks for your input.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7613 Posts |
My experience is that Texas commems are more appealing with the frosty luster. A lot have been dipped out over the years and end up with zero frost... and a lot of those coins still end up in slabs. I have never seen any 1938 Texas' with frost.... They all look awful.
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. I will keep my eye on it. Of course I went back and couldn't decide but something else just caught my eye, and I am a sucker (I'll admit it) and can be impulsive. Picked up this guy instead. Any thoughts?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
The toning on that Roanoke looks attractive.
On the Texas commems, I vote with commems that the raw coin has been dipped.
I like to check out Liberty's hand on Texas commems. There are only a few dates and mintmarks where the hand is well formed with good fingers.
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Quote:
On the Texas commems, I vote with commems that the raw coin has been dipped.
I like to check out Liberty's hand on Texas commems. There are only a few dates and mintmarks where the hand is well formed with good fingers. Awesome, appreciate the tip very much. |
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Moderator
United States
15388 Posts |
 to the CCF. Appears you have good answers to your Texas dilemma .. likely one of the coins was dipped and lost the 'frost' that you desired. To the Roanoke Island half ... great coin and certainly worth of any collection. If now in your possession ... start a new thread with clear photos of both obverse/reverse and we can provide some opinions. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Quote:
If now in your possession ... start a new thread with clear photos of both obverse/reverse and we can provide some opinions Thanks David! Will do.  |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
I was about to say, when it comes to commems, David is the one you want to talk to ;-)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5197 Posts |
I wish my PCGS MS64 Texas was blast white or fancy rim toned but unfortunately it has an even overall toned dulling appearance. I still like it anyways  I guess if you are not familiar with cleaned or altered coins go with the slabbed one. If you could care less then but the one that appeals to you and don't look back.   |
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
Nice coin Jack. I'm a big fan of the color on the reverse.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,669 |
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Posted 12/18/2013 12:58 am
