A 1795 Half Dime For Your Grading Estimates.

going to say xf

I'd agree with low AU, but wouldn't venture an opinion on surfaces (I would be way over my head). Can't see much not to like!

AU55. another grand piece.

AU-53

Insane coin!

AU-55, old cleaning. Would probably get a market grade of AU-53. Nice coin!

AU-53 for me.

Many of you obviously do not like this coin. If you think that this is an "XF" you really need to spend some time with your ANA Grading Guide book. Why others thought this coin deserved a "details" grade is beyond me. It has no cleaning hairlines, and the toning is beyond acceptable.

It's history is interesting. One of the large London coin shops purchased this piece from one of those ubiquitous "little old ladies" who came into the store with a purse of coins. Among a group of rather ordinary British pieces was this American Half Dime. The shop bought the lot including this piece.

The late William (Billy) Paul, from the American Heritage Minting Coin Company, bought the piece and brought it to America. Paul made many trips to England and made quite a mark for himself on show circuit with the British coins he brought back to sell in the U.S in the late 1980s and '90s. He sent this piece to PCGS for grading in hopes of getting it into a Mint State holder several times. Each time it came back the same grade, AU-58. Finally I was able to buy it from him at a Massachusetts coin show.

This coin is a late die state example of the variety LM-10, (a.k.a. Valentine-4a). It is has the large die break Cud along the edge that runs from "TY " in "LIBERTY" to the 9th star. For that reason there is some weakness in the center of the obverse, although it is less pronounced that it is on many other examples I've seen including the plate coin in the Logan - McCloskey Half Dime variety book. In fairness it is very hard to see the Die Cud on this coin because it is in a slab.

This piece might have made a low Mint State grade at PCGS had it not been for Ms. Liberty's shiny nose. That white spot undoubtedly came from it time rubbing against those British coins in the change purseIf she had only "powdered her nose" she might have gotten into the Mint State winners circle. Believe me there are coins doctors out there who would have tried to apply the make-up job.