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 Replies: 17 / Views: 1,719 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
I picked up several Indian Head cents today at a coin show in Wichita. I was targeting IHCs in the VF-XF range to fill holes in my Dansco album. One fellow told me he didn't grade his coins, he listed his asking price and you could decide on your own if it was worth the price. I bought a 1864 bronze IHC at AU-50 price, but I'm thinking could actually be AU-55/AU-58 or maybe even higher? Am I crazy? I'm not seeing any wear. Sorry, guess I had trouble focusing.   Edited by batboy
02/18/2017 9:27 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
Nice die cracks on the reverse, but with no diamonds visible, I think AU50 is tops.
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
650 Posts |
Are you seeing more than one die crack? I see the one from the top left side of shield to rim. The diamonds on the ribbon are indeed fainter on this coin than on others I've seen, but this could be a weak strike from what I can tell. If I move the coin around, a couple of the diamonds do show up in the right light. A strong strike on an uncirculated IHC will show all the diamonds, obviously. After you posted, I did a little research. AU-50: Obverse: Traces of wear show on hair above the ear and curl to right of ribbon. Reverse: Traces of wear show on the leaves and bow knot. Half of the mint luster is still present. It wasn't until I held my loupe at an oblique angle that I saw a little wear on that curl by the ear and on the central part of the ribbon. So, good eye there, Paralyse. I will post another pic or two in a few minutes if I can get a little closer up. Edited by batboy
02/18/2017 11:50 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Here's a littler closer view. Ok, it's probably not AU-55 or better as I first thought. I still cling to the hope it's at least AU-53... lol. ;)  |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Sure its not been buffed? Kinda looks "waxy", acetone bath?. No diamonds, they're the first to go, the ribbon seems...rounded? Not seeing something right, probly just me, its late! Nice pickup!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
AU -50-53 , better sharper pics would determine .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1499 Posts |
While the diamonds are of some importance, they are not be all and end of grading because the strike can vary from coin to coin. Judging by the luster in photo, this coin could grade as high as AU-58, but I can't say that because picture is slightly out of focus. I'd say that it is an AU for sure. I just can't say how far up the scale it is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
For the two people that wanted sharper focus, did you see the close up view I posted later in the thread? I'll see if I can get better pics. But, I have sort of resigned myself to AU-50 (which is what it was priced at and is what most people are guessing) or at best AU-53. Quote:
AU-50, Typical AU
Minimum: Some wear is present. No less than 25% original mint surface. May have a few large contact marks, or many small marks.
AU-53, Average AU
Maximum: Slight wear, less than 50% mint luster. A moderate amount of contact marks.
Luster is the original mint surface, not original color.
AU-55, Choice AU.
Minimum: Slight wear on the high points. A moderate amount of light contact marks. Better than 50% original surfaces.
Maximum: About 75% original surfaces. Very few contact marks.
A choice AU coin should have a better than average strike, fewer than average marks, and better than average eye appeal. The dividing line is not well defined, so there is much to be interpreted. I have trouble determining luster on theses old copper coins and luster is a prime determining factor. I might need to research more about luster. I do see some detracting contact marks, a couple on the chin and a couple on the neck and other places if you look close with a 10X loupe. AU-55 says it should have better than average strike, fewer light marks, and better than average eye appeal. These are rather subjective, but I'm not seeing AU-55 now. It could still be considered AU-53 perhaps. Edited by batboy
02/19/2017 10:04 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Ok, another pair of photos. There is definitely light wear on the hair curl by the ear and on the middle of the ribbon. On the reverse I see light wear on the knot and on the high points of the leaves. There are a couple ugly contact marks as I mentioned in the last post. I saw where to determine luster you hold the coin under a light and look at it at an angle and move it around to see if the "cartwheel effect" is seen. I do see that except at the highest points where there was slight wear.   |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Second rev die crack off tip of arrow?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Crazyb0, I believe you're right. I also saw what might be a die crack (although it's wider than most) from the left lower point of the shield then meanders towards the top of the "O" in ONE. If this is a die crack, it could sort of be a continuation of the one from the shield to the rim. Regardless of it's grade, the die cracks on the reverse make it an interesting coin and I'm happy to have it in my IHC collection filling a hole in a Dansco album. Think I'll just put this in my spreadsheet for a grade: AU50 with die cracks on reverse, that should cover it. Thanks. Edited by batboy
02/19/2017 4:37 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
I would say possibly as high as AU53 on your second picture set. Die cracks: Left shield to rim; right wreath to rim between K2-K3 and at K4.
AU50-AU53 is still a very high grade for this date, L or no L, and much better than the one filling my Dansco hole at the moment. ;)
It's an attractive coin & you should enjoy it.
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 1,719 |
Posted 02/18/2017 11:49 pm
