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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,381 |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Hello, My father gave me this 1860 Seated dime purchased at an auction around 1987. It was part of a Frederick B Taylor collection if that means anything to anyone. It appears to be in quite good shape. I struggled to get a good photograph so I think there are details that maybe aren't coming through due to a slight lack of focus. I did the best I could, but see that others on here definitely seem to be able to take much clearer photographs. At least to my eye, I don't see any kinds of surface wear/nicks/scratches. It just looks like a new dime to me.. maybe uncirculated even? I'm curious about what grade this might be. I'm not sure if we're supposed to ask about value, but I'm also interested in ideas about that. If that's against the rules, then please just let me know what grade you think it is.  Edited by gowgow
09/14/2014 02:38 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
Looks UNC (OR even Proof?). Better pictures would help.
Valuation questions aren't against the rules but we need better pictures to help you on that.
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New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
some additional images. Part of the problem is that I have a telephoto lens. I'm sure I could do much better with a macro lens.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
here is the advice:
take head on shots of both sides. Don't worry about showing us how shiny it is. I see already there could be die polishing marks through the "Of America" but need less reflective, head on shots to determine any value or grade and variety attribution.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
Ok, I'm suspecting this is a proof now, so it could be in the ~$400 range. Use dsworld's advice and take some better pics, if you have trouble, search up coin photography. It's not about what quality of camera or lens you have, it's more so about technique and lighting. I take all my pictures with my Samsung SIII and most of them are better quality than the ones that end up being posted by the big retailers.
Crossing my fingers for you.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
Quote:
Ok, I'm suspecting this is a proof now could be. The only known proof die has, Obverse A, has a Type II Shield which is distinct due to the number of vertical lines above "LIBERTY" in the shield, 6 of them, which this one has. I am also becoming more convinced those are die lines in "OF AMERICA" if it is a proof as there are known examples that exhibit die lines on both the obverse and reverse for the proof dies. Interesting find your Dad made when he purchased this. |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Better? I used a flatbed scanner this time. I don't think I can get a better result with the camera that I have. Just curious, what characteristics are you looking for to determine whether or not this coin is a proof or not? Thanks for your help.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
personally, at this point, I am comparing all diagnostics to this plate specimen http://www.seateddimevarieties.com/...101apage.htmI think it could very much be Obverse A, which are the proof dies but this might be an Ahwash-1 which were the run of business strikes. I'd like a more seasoned Numismatist to comment on the lines in the mirrors of the obverse and offer an opinion of die polishing versus roller marks and cleaning. Surfaces aside, with the diagnostics of the coin, I will vote proof dies/business strike. Edited by dsfreeworld
09/14/2014 8:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4409 Posts |
Did a bit of research on the Frederick B. Taylor collection and found this info:
Held by Bowers & Merena March 26-28, 1987
I don't own a copy of this auction catalog so I'm unable to look and see what lot this was and the description of it.
-MV
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Thanks for checking into this. I guess no consensus just yet. I also don't have the auction catalog, although my dad did give me an auction catalog from the same place, but they were from 1980. I believe he thought he was giving me the catalog with information about this particular coin, but it's not the correct year. At one point he held around 25-30 coins that he bought from the same place, but he sold all but this one many years ago.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
The images aren't adequate for me to comment other than the strike weakness at 10:00 reverse would incline me to say it's NOT a proof. It may have been struck from proof dies of course. It does look very nice and perhaps MS64 and worth about $400.
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
So if I ever wanted to sell this, would you recommend taking it into a coin store that offers a grading service? Without a definitive grading, I wouldn't know how to list it and potential buyers wouldn't know what they were bidding on.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
yes. take it to a dealer that can get it into a PCGS or NGC slab for you. Avoid selling it unless life comes calling that hard financially. Its a nice family heirloom that can go for generations to come.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,381 |
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Posted 09/14/2014 03:10 am
