1858 Flying Eagle Cent Small Letters AU USCG

I like it for Au50 money.

Looks XF-45 to me. And that green dot on the reverse should come off.

Update:

No Wizardnyc, I bit the bullet. It just took a little time.

To the other members on this thread: Although your thoughts on this coin were not totally unanimous, I did "finally" buy the coin after much thought, debate and creative financing.

So I contacted the seller. He answered all my questions in a timely manner. He seemed liked an honest guy. I think he's a dealer. We had a lengthy back and forth conversation for a couple of days. See the below initial e-mail. He was even willing to pull the listing until I completed my creative financing, got my head and butt wired together and ready to pull the trigger.

Obviously, I realize it's still a risk. I did everything I could to reduce that risk without having the coin in hand. From the picture, I just liked the coin not necessarily the holder. He knows I'll be breaking it out. For what it's worth, he seems to think the verdigris will come off with Verdi-Care. Not sure if I'll touch it or not.

Thanks again to each of you for your suggestions, opinions and feedback! Very helpful and helped me make my decision.


My Initial question to him:

Sir-

Could you tell me a little more about the coin, the condition (in your opinion) and the grading company. I'm not that familiar with this grading company. Your price seems a little low in my opinion. Could you elaborate?

Thank you.
_________________________

His initial reply:

As far as I could tell, the grading company is no longer in business and I couldn't find any information on the internet. It's priced lower because it's not in a PCGS or NGC holder. Most third tier grading companies, including ICG are scams. It's a means of getting cleaned coins into a holder with a grade. Unless you have a ton of experience, stick with NGC or PCGS. Not all coins in third tier holders are cleaned, but many are.

With that said, I bought this at a public auction and took a chance on it because as you can see the coin looks AU and doesn't have any obvious signs of being cleaned. Will it cross to PCGS? Your guess is as good as mine and the only way to find out is to send it in. If it doesn't sell in a few weeks, I will likely crack it open and send it in.

Sorry if I am not giving you an exact answer but I want to be honest in that there is always some risk in buying a coin that is not graded by NGC or PCGS. Rob...

It's a perfectly fine, fairly valued and most attractive coin. Who cares about the holder.

PS: Congrats Tom on your 3000th post. And Mike too - soon to be!


x 2

Nice purchase, seems like a pretty good coin. I'd just give it a bit of a verdicare treatment on the reverse. Only thing that was a possible concern to me were the rims - if they are okay, then you did well!

Congrats on the 3000 posts Mike and USSID




Er, not sure that ICG is a scam... I wonder what basebal21 will have to say on that?

Update:


BEFORE












I didn't need the VerdiCare. The Verdigris came off in the acetone bath.

AFTER












NEW HOME


Hmmm, didn't mean for them to come out that small. Sorry!

I had the Verdi-Care ready to go. What a great feeling when the acetone took it off!