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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,051 |
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Valued Member
United States
205 Posts |
Hi all, Fairly new, and loving the amount of useful info on these forums.... So looking for some help here. Bought this a while ago, at the time I didn't know too much about commemoratives, but I liked the look of this one. I wasn't sure of the validity of the folder it comes with, or even if it is real silver. Now I have seen plenty of these for sale and grading here and this one looks in pretty good condition, so asking for your thoughts. I have still not seen any in this kind of folder, so unsure where it came from It is in a plastic holder and can literally see no scratches on the coin itself. So, is this genuine, and if so, grade? Thanks for all your help.   
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
Your pictures of the coin need to be more close-up so we can see details, but from these it appears to be real. If real, your Columbian Expo Half Dollar should weigh 12.9 grams, and be 90% silver.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
Looks genuine and nice but is heavily polished as most presentation coins that are sold by people who know nothing of conservation or numismatics. Hope you didn't pay too much.
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Valued Member
 United States
205 Posts |
Ah, never thought about it being polished.. Good point. Paid $10 in a bargain bin, so no biggie. Would better photos help decide if it is 'natural'? Its permanently in the plastic holder, so no help there.
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Valued Member
 United States
205 Posts |
By the way, that final photo was enhanced, it is not really that shiny.. Compared to other coins I have this does not seem particularly.. polished..
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Moderator
 United States
15395 Posts |
 to the commemorative forum. Agree with the others that it is likely a genuine but cleaned/polished example of this initial USA commemorative coin. Quote: should weigh 12.9 grams Correction just for accuracy sake ... he meant 12.6 grams.  David
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1795 Posts |
I believe it is real but as the others have said it could very well be polished and if you got it for 10 dollars you have one of the first U.S. Commemoratives at a great price polished or not.
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Valued Member
 United States
205 Posts |
It was at a small 'antique' mall place, and other coins there seemed overpriced, which is why I worried aobut genuine or not. So - How do I find out if it has been polished...?
OK, the more I look at it, it seems to good to be true shiny... Ah well..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
899 Posts |
It is tough to tell from the images if it is polished or not. If it has been polished most of the actual detail is usually lost and you'll see very fine scratches on the coin. Typically you can look for detail that should be there - on these that would be easily seen in the ribbing on the sails. On a circulated one that will be worn off very quickly - and if it is missing you know something is amiss with the coin.
All in all polished or pristine - $10 is a nice price.
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Valued Member
 United States
205 Posts |
Thanks.. I will try to take a good close up photo.. Ultimately, I like the coin and it won't matter too much to me, but it has now become a challenge - polished or not..!
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Replies: 9 / Views: 2,051 |
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