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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,232 |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
What grade would you give this coin? I am thinking AU58 but not totally sure. How about that toning, I really like it !
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
You come up with some wonderful toys, Doug.  Tough to say from the pics, but if you force me to I'd say it has seen a few minutes of circulation. I mean that literally. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
673 Posts |
It would be a shame to have to grade that coin circulated. Very nice surfaces with very few hits on the obverse or reverse. Great toning , I am not sure that the fact that the toning is "rubbed " off the high points makes it look circulated...The details look strong, but two of the stars and the areas between them look a bit weak...maybe a weak strike making the high points a little flat...tough coin. The reverse does have more of a circulated look to it, with all the shiny high points , but still seems to have very few marks. Hmmm.... Send it to me and I'll have a closer look !
I guess if I am selling it, it is MS-64 a little weakly struck....Buying it at AU-58....How's that for a grade ? If this coin has to be circulated, I am all for AU-58*
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
Nice photos of a very nice coin. I'd have to say MS-63 from the photos, though in hand you might change that up or down. Are there numerous die breaks on the reverse, or are those lines artifacts?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Hi Doug,
You really like bust coinage! This one is another beautiful specimen.
I see slight rub on Liberty's cap, the hair high points, and at the front of the drapery. The flat stars are weakly struck, not worn IMO. The reverse looks stronger with virtually no wear. The eagle's talons are super sharp!
I'd agree with AU-58, or maybe AU-55 if I were being really conservative. One caveat, though: the toning is beautiful and looks natural, but I've been fooled before by pretty coins. I would personally be much more comfortable buying a coin like this if it were in a PCGS slab. I know we are all trying to "buy the coin, not the slab" but for a valuable coin like this the slab represents important insurance on the investment. Again, just my opinion!
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Valued Member
 United States
70 Posts |
This coin slabbed by PCGS IS A $1100 coin in AU55 and I have the opportunity to purchase this for $625 raw. Does this in any way change the thinking on this coin or should I hold out for a slabbed lesser grade coin? Not sure what to do !! I currently own another 1834 Capped Bust quarter AU58 that I like but for some reason can't get buy the fact that it has been dipped at one time and is toning back quite nice. Should I save the money for another nice type coin? Which coin would you rather have for the same money ?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Doug, it's the same challenge we all face at some point. Is this a problem-free, beautiful coin in AU-55 or better, or does it have some defect that would prevent PCGS from slabbing it? I know if I were the seller I would try to have it slabbed since I might then be able to get $1100 for it! If it were rejected, then maybe it would go on the market for $625 or whatever I could get.
It will help immensely if you have the coin in-hand and can inspect for unnatural luster, hairlines, tooling, edge filing, and all the other subtle defects that the photos may not reveal. Does the seller offer a good return policy? If so, then I would be very tempted to go for it. If not, then that says something about his confidence in the quality of the piece.
About your dipped coin: have you tried to have it slabbed, or are you even interested in doing so? It looks pretty good in your photos. How confident are you that the new coin would be an upgrade?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
986 Posts |
I don't like the color on this coin, it looks like it has been cleaned at some point and artificially retoned. One compromise could be for you to ask the seller to send in the coin to PCGS at your expense, and agree to buy it if it comes back in a slab.
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
Jaobler, Do you think my 1834 Capped Bust quarter would be slabbed by PCGS or would it be body bagged due to being dipped in the past.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Your quarter looks to be virtually the equal of the toned piece in terms of wear. I can't tell if there are hairlines or other evidence of cleaning, but it doesn't look to be obviously over-dipped in these photos. If I had to guess I'd say your piece would have a better chance of being slabbed, just because it doesn't have colorful tone. Fengk may well be right that the toner had a little help and PCGS might play the "questionable color" card if it were submitted.
If I owned your quarter I would send it in. Worst-case scenario is I'm out $60 or so for slabbing fee and postage. If they reject it, I would have that professional opinion about a defect with the coin. I would be slightly better-informed about what to look for if and when I decide to upgrade my bust quarter.
As an aside, some time back Anaconda Coins had a beautiful toned bust quarter from the 1830's (I don't remember the date) graded PCGS AU-58. They wanted over $2000 for it. I countered with a "make offer" of $1450 and they didn't take it. They obviously expected to get more. Ya gotta ask yourself, if this toned 1834 coin is problem-free, why isn't it in a PCGS slab with an asking price of $1100, or $1450, or $2000?
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,232 |
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Posted 04/04/2008 10:27 pm
