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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,798 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I've owned this 1893 Columbian Half for a couple of years. I love the toning on the coin. It does have strong cartwheel luster, but I'm not sure if it is original or has been cleaned and has now retoned. I'm asking opinions on whether it's original or cleaned and on its grade. Thanks. I'm going to post it in the grading section as well.   Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
Might be cleaned and retoned. No way to tell from those pics. The coin sure is nice. I owned an 1892 once with similar toning, the toning is probably a result of being in a gun safe, or from long exposure to sulfur in some way. Veeu nice though. I grade AU-55, little amounta of wear in the hair, sails and globes.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
Maybe spent a very long time in a smokers house.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Moderator
 United States
15403 Posts |
Technical grade is likely mid-AU ... I am unable to judge by the photos whether or not the coin has been cleaned in the past ... The toning is certainly distinctive and should be appealing to all fans of well toned coins. Quote:
I'm going to post it in the grading section as well Prefer that you not do that ... one of the threads will be locked. David |
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Pillar of the Community
Puerto Rico
778 Posts |
Hard to tell if it was cleaned because the tone can hide the hairlines but anyway a nice AU coin.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Here are two more photos at a different angle. Sorry, but I did post it under "Classic Grading". If a moderator wants to delete it from there that's fine with me.   Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
I sent a note to staff for you to move the thread to the Classic US grading forum.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Actually I don't believe this is considered a classic coin, it is more a commemorative coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
I guess but since we don't have a "US Commemorative Coin Grading" Section this would fit in the Classic Coin Grading section. Anyway, these are of the same time frame as the earliest Barber coinage, so why should they be considered classic. They are technically commemorative but they did widely circulate. |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12262 Posts |
I'll preface my comments by saying that without seeing the coin in hand, I might be wrong about what I am about to write...
The "look" of the coin reminds of Columbians that spent significant time in leather holders/pouches (like those distributed at the Exposition in 1893). Such pieces typically develop dark brown / almost black toning from the silver reacting to the dyes and other chemicals used in the leather.
Your second set of image show a much lighter coin. I don't know which more accurately shows the coins true color.
There can be other reasons for the toning, but "in hand" inspection would be needed to make an accurate assessment.
In terms of grade, it appears to be an AU to my eyes.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
Quote:
I guess but since we don't have a "US Commemorative Coin Grading" Section this would fit in the Classic Coin Grading section. All US Commemorative discussion, including grading and errors/varieties, belongs in this forum. If and when US Commemorative grading discussion reaches a larger volume, it may receive its own sub-forum as we did in the past for US Modern and US Classic coins.  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,798 |
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Posted 10/18/2014 3:28 pm
