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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,792 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
I picked this Oregon Commemorative up late last year and wanted to see what the CCF Members though of it in comparison to PCGS. Thank you for your interest and comments!    |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
No hint of circulation. Nicely distributed tone with no significant spotting. Reasonable strike but not a strong strike. Obverse has minor bag marks, most in less prominent locations. Reverse has double railroad tracks to right of wagon driver. Nothing else significant. Solid beauty.
MS-65.
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Moderator
 United States
15408 Posts |
moxking thoughts mirror mine ... although I'm going to be a bit tougher on the strike which I believe is on the weaker side of 'normal'. Observe, for example, the Indian Chief right hand ... which is tougher area to fully strike up as it is opposite areas of higher relief on the reverse.
That said ... based on clean fields and minimal contact marks ... technical grade is MS66. PCGS grade (considering strike) is lovely MS65.
David
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
That is one beautiful specimen of a beautiful coin. On my wishlist henceforce.
Only concern is the green inside the open part of the wagon, can you tell what that is?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7189 Posts |
One of my favorite designs, if we were to retro another old design this would be it for me.
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Moderator
United States
188052 Posts |
I like the subtle toning. Very nice!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12817 Posts |
Nice coin, nice toning. What's at 3 o'clock near the rim of the reverse? Are those initials? They're kind of mushy. Obverse seems to have mushiness in the same area. Are these coins oriented in the medallic fashion? By the way, what distinguishes obverse from reverse on commems such as this? I'm only calling the wagon side the reverse because moxking did and he seems to know what he's talking about.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3644 Posts |
Beautiful coin one I've wanted for awhile also..celticknot,good point on obverse/reverse
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
Quote:
By the way, what distinguishes obverse from reverse on commems such as this? I'm only calling the wagon side the reverse because moxking did and he seems to know what he's talking about. Language within the Coinage Act of 1873 specified that the side of a US coin that included the date of strike/issue was to be considered the obverse. So, per the US Mint, the wagon side of the Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar is the obverse and the standing Native American side is the reverse. This is opposite of how the husband and wife design team of James Earle and Laura Gardin Fraser viewed their creation - they considered the wagon to be on the reverse. Of course, most of today's collectors and each of the third-party grading services consider the "dateless" Native American" side to be the obverse. In either case, most consider the coin to be among the most artistic of all US coinage designs - regular circulation or commemorative. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
Quote:
What's at 3 o'clock near the rim of the reverse? Are those initials? They're kind of mushy. Yes, they are the initials of the designers. "JE" for "James Earle" on top with "LG" for "Laura Gardin" below it with a larger, shared "F" for "Fraser." Even their initials had a bit of artistic flair! Strongly struck examples of the coin show the initials more clearly. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12263 Posts |
As previously mentioned, there are several areas with greenish hues on the obverse and reverse. I'll assume they are just image artifacts vs. anything PVC-related and concur with others that the coin is a gem "65" example.
@oih82w8: Do you see any green spots/areas with the coin in hand?
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7840 Posts |
No green on this end...at least in the sunlight.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Very attractive example of this coin ..
I love the tone and eye appeal.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12817 Posts |
Thanks for the info, commems, good stuff.
And I agree, this coin is a top-notch design.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
591 Posts |
This coin is EPIC! I want one - hoping to make it my first classic commemorative purchase.
Commems - is this coin in "high" or "deep" relief? (Photos of) other coins seem so "flat" in comparison.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
The tone is what grabbed me.  Thanks for playing along! Edited by oih82w8
01/27/2016 12:24 am
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,792 |
Posted 01/26/2016 06:16 am
