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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,389 |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I was afraid this would happen. I've been assimilated. I picked up another Large Cent, an 1837. It makes a Net VF30 or so, looking like it was dug and thoroughly cleaned. I paid too much for it. Having said that, I like the coin. I'm a fan of die cracks. Assuming the membership agrees that this one's been heavily cleaned, I'm going to forego the coffee one morning and do some additional microsurgery on the areas that still need attention - around the ear and "ERT".   Edit: It goes without saying now, that I will have to budget some cash for the Grellman book. Edited by SsuperDdave
12/13/2005 11:38 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
SuperDave, I don't know if there's a cure or not for assimilation or addiction short of bankruptcy, divorce, or death. But if there is, please share with the rest of us. Despite high gas and food costs on top of the expenses of the holiday season, I'm still finding myself buying more coins. Yesterday, it was another cheapie low grade 79CC Morgan, but problem free, at least from what I can tell.
I suspect you're correct. Since it's already cleaned, might as well clean it up completely so it'll look nice in the collection. That patch in front of Liberty's nose looks interesting; glue or lacquer?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Hi SuperDave
I think your right about the coin being a dug coin,, it certianly has that appearance.
the obverse has been cleaned in my opinion, the reverse appears to not have been ,at least not to the extent of the obverse.
Rick
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Superdave,
When it comes to cleaning older copper, there really is only one substance to consider. Xylene. It is getting a bit tougher to find these days, but well worth the effort.
2 Major concerns.
1. IT IS INCREDIBLY FLAMABLE. Make darn sure that you have no flame near it.
2. The odor while sweet, can be overwhelming. Be sure to use in a well ventilated area.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
It's a darn shame. This coin has some really interesting features on the reverse - the die crack and a lot of doubling. I'd call it a really nice example which has fought mightily against the forces of decay.
Whatever's in front of the nose is also on the face. I'm going to follow ND's recomendation after more research, and we'll see how I can make it turn out. I work for Home Depot, and we stock Xylene. I'll get my money's worth somehow. :)
Edited by SsuperDdave
12/13/2005 3:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
When working with Xylene, you want to keep the coin wet. Work the area with a small paintbrush with medium soft bristles. Concentrate on the effected areas, and gently pat the coin dry. Always rinse with distilled water.
Now the big question: Have you tried to attribute this coin? It took me a while to come up with this one, as this coin was struck pretty early in the die life. However, there are TWO telltale signs that make this coin stand out.
A much harder attribution than the first coin you listed.
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
Researching this in the Newcomb book, I think you've found an N-15 which has a rarity rating of 6. Here is the description as given in the book:
OBV: Plain hair cord. Obverse is same die as No. 2 but cracks are not as developed. Fine parallel vertical cracks from rim near fifth to fourth star then a single crack to rim near second star; a delicate crack from field between seventh and eighth through eighth to rim beyond and from twelfth to rim near thirteenth; die is ont sunken at base of T.
REV: Large letters. Both top and base of U below N; bases of ED on same line; no center dot. Delicate cracks from point of ribbon and rim meet at left top of U, rim to left top of N, bases of NITED, rim through stand of D to leaf and left base of first S to leaf below; heavy crack from rim over E through tops of S OF and A below its top and beyond where it joins another crack from rim over A through tops of ME dropping down through R above its center then up through tops of IC and over last A to rim beyond; heavy branch cracks from left top of R and right top of C to rim; heavy crack tops of RI and light crack bases of AMERICA to stem; several other light cracks.
I couldn't see many of the obverse indicators, but I seem to see many of the reverse indicators. You can probably tell more with the coin in hand.
Let me know if you agree.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Close Susan, but no cigar.
N-15 has die cracks that run to the top of the letters in America. Also, the date position on N-15 are not aligned as with this coin. On the true N-15 reverse, the three "A" on the reverse will have a patched inner foot.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Coinfacts has very nice illustrations of this date's varities. The only one which matches the reverse of my coin is N-3. This is a really nice coin in the hand - I'm playing with the photos to accentuate the problem areas - the overall finish, although dark, is much more consistent that the obverse pic would indicate.
Edited by SsuperDdave
12/13/2005 5:01 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Very good SuperDave. Your coin is indeed a N-3. A strike early in the die life though, as the die cracks do not extend throughout the ribbon to continue into UNITED.
As noted earlier, there are TWO diagnostics that are easily identifiable.
The first is the date alignment. The second is the die crack going through the center of the "C" and "A" in America.
Other small diagnostics include the E's on the reverse. They are all patched along with the inner foots of the A's.
A very interesting coin, that is one of the most common, yet has several diffent die stages within the attribution.
Good find!
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,389 |
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Posted 12/13/2005 1:54 pm
