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 Replies: 19 / Views: 4,025 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
I picked up this 1953S George Washington Carver commemorative half dollar in Baltimore. I attended the show with nickelsearcher and had a really great time. It is in a problem free PCGS rattler holder. Whats your guess on grade? Grade to be revealed later this week (Thursday or Friday). You may be surprised...   |
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Moderator
 United States
15414 Posts |
I was there with HONDO when he made this purchase ... well - actually I was standing in the PCGS submittal line (for nearly an hour) ... so he managed to secure this example and had gloating rights when we caught up again at the show.
I personally vouch that this GWC is in an authentic and problem-free early generation PCGS rattler holder with a definite grade assigned.
Concur that it was wonderful to finally meet up with my long-time coin friend HONDO ... thanks and we'll do it again.
Guesses on grade?
David
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I'm going to throw out a WAG of MS64. It's probably a true 65 at todays standards with original toning. Nice example HONDO!
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Valued Member
United States
469 Posts |
Comparing the wear on the ear to my FR02 example I would say that it "Should" be a VF20-25. The wear on the obv does not match the wear on the rev.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7189 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1211 Posts |
Bob, you are correct... The reverse is in better shape than the obverse for sure.
Also, the photo is really not very good. The slab is old and beat up, so I was trying to shoot around scratches/scuffs on the plastic as well as fighting the lighting at those odd angles.
Either way, keep the guesses coming!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7618 Posts |
I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see it in a "65" grade. The GWC's are one, if not the, hardest commems to accurately grade. I've seen coins that look like yours be all over the place numbers-wise. Nothing would surprise me with yours, too.
Cool pickup!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4409 Posts |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12267 Posts |
From your images, my initial reaction is to call it a VF coin, maybe VF-30.
Am I seeing some luster on the reverse?
The fact that you posted that we might be "surprised" does have me intrigued. Are we looking at a coin that appears to have visible wear but has has been judged by PCGS as exhibiting a "weak strike" and therefore more than a VF coin?
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
15414 Posts |
We have quite the diversity of grade opinions so far ... F12 to MS65!
I was able to examine the coin in hand under good light - and claim some level of expertise in judging the grade of classic silver commemorative coins.
Had the coin been raw ... I would have judged as VF25/VF30.
David
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
I'd guess F-12, but the fact that you posted it here tells me I'm wrong.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
937 Posts |
Quote:
It's probably a true 65 at todays standards with original toning if this is a 65 then the one in my type set must be at least a 68. On this monitor it looks like a F15 or so, but this worn out old thing makes everything look less than it is so I will say VF20. But what do I knoww? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
 Here we go. Its graded MS 63... I was shocked when I saw the grade in person. Saw the coin first and without seeing the reverse, I said to myself "F-VF and a tougher date in circulated condition". Looked up and saw the grade on the rattler and said to myself "I need this coin, as an oddity if nothing else!". The reverse is niver than the obverse for sure. Not sure how/why, but I still feel that the lower grade obverse and the nicer reverse should have earned this coin a net VF 20 or 25. Thanks to you all for playing along. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I've got an 1882-S Morgan that's graded MS65 in an old TPG holder that is just as confusing as this one is. Nice test HONDO and nice coin!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12267 Posts |
Wow! A grade of MS-63 is just shocking to me. Your images show what appears to be a worn coin - I wonder what the graders at PCGS saw to make them consider it a mint state coin?!
Congrats on the purchase - you've definitely added another "conversation starter" to your collection!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Replies: 19 / Views: 4,025 |
Posted 03/31/2015 7:21 pm
