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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,223 |
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New Member
United States
21 Posts |
*Warning Lots of words and pictures* I was fishin on the ol Bay looking to score some Indian Head cents to build a collection. I am new to the hobby and found a couple unslabbed pennys from a reputable seller, I won via high bid and just got the coins in. My intention is to send it to PCGS for grading, but I have doubts about the coin and am considering returning it (if I can). My family already has a PCGS membership and they are sending coins in, so it got me into the hobby and this was going to be one of my first slabbers. Looking at the coin now, I wish I didn't buy it at all. Still, I would like some opinions about the coin from the community :) This is a 1903 Indian Head cent. The seller's description of the coin (quote): "Gem BU *red* Sharp!!" and here are the *2* photos that were with the auction:   What I've done to the coin: 2 days ago Remove from plastic stapled case which it was shipped in to scan and put in different carrier, handled the rim of the coin only, being very careful to not touch the coin except on the rim. I noticed the coin seemed "greasy" which raised suspicion, with a feather touch I used a paper towel to brush the coin and see if anything comes off (such as grease or anything that would stick to the paper towel). Nothing came off so I discontinued. I was very careful to not rub the coin or create friction which could leave microscopic marks, keep in mind at the time this is the most valuable coin I own lol :( So... 2 days ago, the coin looked pretty close to the pictures, but the reverse corrosion looking stuff still scared me. ... Now today, I am getting coins ready to be sent to PCGS, so I go to take the coin out 1 last time to be put into the official PCGS recommended carrier for shipping. Immediately I notice the coin has lost much of it's shine, and now there is a big obvious colorful fingerprint right on her cheek. there are other blueish colors all over the front of the coin, these colors were not present 2 days ago and I am wondering what happened? Can a coin be greased up to the point of hiding these colors and this fingerprint? I am positive I didn't grab the coin right on her face, how could this just appear?.... here are the photos that I took, notice the Lincoln Head Cent for reference (appears to be all original luster, found it in change).              Finally, here are the scans that I took 2 days ago. The coin color looked much different than it does now, but the scans don't show the color. Notice the mark across her cheek is visible.     |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11896 Posts |
Not concerned so much with the cheek but the area below CENT in the reverse which looks pitted with corrosion as you noted. Most pics do not show a lot of luster. It looks like an AU coin with surface issues likely to details it. I don't believe it is gem and you would need it to be to make it worthwhile to submit this date to PCGS for grading.
Also, never wipe the coin to remove surface residue. Use pure acetone. Drop the coin in for a few minutes, rinse in filtered water and dry by resting on a microfiber cloth.
IN NECESSARIIS UNITAS - IN DUBIIS LIBERTAS - IN OMNIBUS CARITAS THE MAN IN THE ARENA, Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne Paris on April 23, 1910: " It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." My coin website: https://fairfaxcoins.comEdited by numismatic student
02/15/2018 6:28 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1436 Posts |
I agree w/ numismatic student... The pitting on the reverse would render it a "details" grade due to environmental damage. Don't know how much you paid for it, but personally, if it were me, I would return it. There are GEM IHCs out there... you just have to find them
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8715 Posts |
AU details, environmental damage. Not close to Gem BU at all...I would return it.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
The coin may have been cleaned and artificially retoned. Has rim issues, especially on reverse . Field area below One Cent had a nasty problem at one time . AU Details . Far from Gem BU .   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
If the option is available to return the coin.....I would.
And would not purchase from this seller in the future.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
 its a long way from original or mint state. |
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New Member
 United States
21 Posts |
Thank you all for your help, the seller has accepted the return and I expect a full refund. Special thanks to Numismatic Student for helping out on both coins very quickly  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11896 Posts |
 to the CCF IN NECESSARIIS UNITAS - IN DUBIIS LIBERTAS - IN OMNIBUS CARITAS THE MAN IN THE ARENA, Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne Paris on April 23, 1910: " It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." My coin website: https://fairfaxcoins.com |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Good move. to the CCF! Edited by Coinfrog
02/16/2018 10:13 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
We are always happy to help, but think of us before you buy the coin, rather than after, and we can be of even more help. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36800 Posts |
The coin was whizzed and has toned done.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,223 |
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Posted 02/15/2018 6:12 pm
