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 Replies: 25 / Views: 4,434 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3343 Posts |
1-H.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Winning.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
Rotating the coin's reverse under a strong light parallel to the surface it is apparent that the coin has been wiped in one direction, across the whole piece. This was not apparent under overhead direct light. It is not enough to affect strike details, but it plays havoc with finding the die scratches. These can still be seen in the protected areas around the eagle's talons, but they are gone in the fields. The wipe doesn't impair the strong strike details, and with the gold toning it's still an attractive reverse.
The obverse has full cartwheel luster and is not impaired. The diagnostic 1-H satin proof die polishing scratches are most apparent below the hair bun and at WE. The Vamworld photos were helpful in identifying them, as was a Heritage MS66.
As everyone expected, Accugrade did overgrade this coin. Uncirculated details, at best.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2815 Posts |
the- thanks for sharing this purchase with us. I didn't know about this aspect of the 1921 Peace dollar- that they were struck with proof dies. I enjoyed learning something new. I would love to own one of these. So, in your opinion, was the price Ok with you now that you have it in hand?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
darthmorgan I've been looking for a full struck 1921 for 20 years. There are probably 50-100 that are this good. Considering that the obverse is clean I'm happy even though the reverse is impaired. It's Liberty I want, her full hairdo intact, surrounded by a golden cartwheel dish.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Definitely a very well struck 21 Peace dollar. I'd be interested to know if the "proof dies" bit on the slab was conjecture and dumb luck or if there was actually a comparison with a legit proof coin done for the die markers that hadn't yet been documented in the VAM listings. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
Interesting point messydesk. Here's a 2003 Heritage auction, about the same period as the Accugrade slab and pre 1-H VAM designation http://coins.ha.com/itm/1921-1-matt...a/330-9143.sThe history blurb in this says that the first specimen turned up in 1975 and the die polishing marks were known soon after. They're not readily visible to the eye but show easily with 10x magnification and cross lighting. The wipe on the reverse took out the prominent lines at "states > of", though traces can be seen in the o. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
01/19/2015 09:46 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4592 Posts |
This is Alan Hagar (Accugrade) and whatever you think of him for his legal issues, he knows coins. Especially silver dollars. The preface to his book indicates how he gained the experience - sorting them from bags at the Reno casinos "from 1960 to 1964, I easily looked through 2 million silver dollars". One can only assume he continued to grow his knowledge. In 1984/1985 when this was slabbed, the diagnostics were certainly known.
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
I would have bought that coin had I seen it. I have a very nice one in NGC MS64 that actually has the toning that the satin proofs take on and the proof die markers are all visible some by eye. Nice pic up and fantastic that you bought the coin and not the holder. As to your photo it may just be an issue with settings and lighting. Just ask messydesk as he and I know you can get some nice images even from point and shoot cameras.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
Thanks coinsllikethem. Before I found this the best struck 1921 I had was an AU, interesting also for having a cracked planchet...considerable striking force to get some hair detail, but nothing like the proof dies. I still see proof die 1921's on ebay from time to time, usually in the $1000 range. Maybe someday they'll get the premiums they deserve. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Replies: 25 / Views: 4,434 |
First Page
Posted 01/17/2015 6:20 pm
