1893 Isabella Grade And Thoughts Please.

I'm thinking mid to high AU.
But your images make an opinion about original surfaces difficult to make.

For the price you're going to pay I suggest getting a slabbed coin.
I don't know of any fakes but possible cleaning is always an issue.

High AU with only the slightest rub. 55 for sure and 58 very possible. Does not appear to have any hints of cleaning or retoning but on the darker tone it's difficult to be certain from photos only.

For this quality of coin I would also recommend PCGS or NGC.

I do like the tone. Probably looks better in hand.

The LCS doesn't like the color. He wants to get rid of it. I will study a few more images of like coins online, then check it out in hand one more time.

I can get it for around $195.00
i would send it to PCGS myself.

Basically, if you're not 100% the surfaces are original and not cleaned, you shouldn't buy it raw.

Grading moderns is nonsense, but grading for old commems like this is essential unless you are an expert yourself.

Based on the images provided, I see an original surfaces lightly circulated AU example. I'm not a particular fan of the dark toning ... but to each their own.

David

Yeah I'm curious as well

Just caught up on reading some posts and wanted to follow up on my thoughts on this coin.

Here's a story, so sit back and relax.

A few months ago I hired a new employee for the warehouse, he's my new controller. Great kid.

So one day at lunch I start talking to him about coins and showed him my pocket piece. Educated him on the basics of coin collecting etc.
He said he has a good friend that's a "HUGH" collector and has been collecting since he was 9.
"Wow" I said, "he must have a nice collection"
My new employee said, "that's an understatement"

"I would love to meet your buddy some day, hook me up", I said.

"Oh...he lives in Florida, doesn't come home much."

"What's he do?" I asked.

"He's a grader for NGC"

My eyes almost blew out of my sockets..."Really"


I asked if I could send him pics to get his thoughts on this coin.
"Absolutely" was the response.

So I sent him these pics to get his thoughts.
He said...High AU, might make low MS in hand.
Hard to tell if it's been cleaned from the photos.
The price is right if it's not cleaned.

SOOOOOOOO
This weekend I hope to convince my wife to head to town and check out some coins. If the LCS will let me purchase said coin with a return policy....I'll pick it up. Send it to my new NGC buddy, who currently has 6 of my coins to "look" at. If he says it's legit and not cleaned, I'll send it in to PCGS to grade

If's it's been cleaned, return it and get my money back.
LCS has a real nice Pilgrim Commem the money would go towards.

That is the current status of this piece.
Stay tuned.