Barber Quarter, Purchased Raw

SuperDave, with my usual caveat that it's very difficult to grade coins from an image, I'd have to say that it may be a very high AU rather than a Mint State. To me, the small scratches on the obverse's field look more like circulation marks than bag marks; and there appears to be circulation dirt in the interstices of some of the letters and numbers, but again, this may be a function of the photograph rather than the actual coin. If, however, those marks are a function of the photo process or are on the holder (if it's in a holder) and the "dirt" in the letters/numbers is actually shadows, then I think it would go MS-63, maybe higher, especially with the pretty toning which normally isn't found in circulated coins.

Like you, I look for surprise raw coins on ebay, but I take a lot of precautions before I place a bid. E.g., return policy, feedback, responses to the emails I almost always send the seller, etc. Yes, decent raw coins are definitely available on ebay, but one must be very careful. [Soapbox] A coin description which includes the words, "Grade the coin yourself from the photos" with absolutely no details and no return policy makes me click on "Back to list". [/Soapbox]

Do you have the Barber in hand yet or are you still waiting? If not, I'm very curious about what you will think once you have it in hand. If you could post your own images to compare with these, it'd be great!

Fred

Thos are my own pics, taken tonight, posted here at about half resolution. I can see things that might indicate the coin is a high AU, but I've been over it with the loupe and a 1200dpi scan, and it was doctored by a master to this condition if it was circulated. I can't detect anything like a brush mark on any flat surface, nor any differences in luster between the highest areas and those near it. The fields are reflective.

I'm a *very cautious* Ebayer, and I've been blessed with good luck in my purchases, except for the counterfeit Trade and Seated dollars that taught me such caution.

quote:

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Originally posted by Morgan Fred

Are you gonna have it graded by a TPG?

Fred

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No, sir. I am extremely leery of the quality/consistency of even the Top 4 TPG's. Their track record is going downhill quickly, and I don't want the perception of this coin's quality depending on a company which could call it MS65 today and AU58 tomorrow. This coin is absolutely a keeper anyways, unless I'm offered MS66 money for it.

Note the closed 9 in the date - I believe it's a variant, referred to at Heritage as a Lawrence Variety #103, and they've only one example of it in their database.

I call this coin MS64, the mark on the cheek being offset by a tremendous strike and great eye appeal.