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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,864 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
I like hopeless coins, and have tried a lot of things to make them at least look presentable. The latest project is a ground find half eagle, which is nicked, bent and scraped.
I'm working it over by rubbing it against a quarter in my spare time. It will probably take a few months of this to smooth out the raised edge dings. Progrss is measured by the blackening of my thumb and forefinger. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1527 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4618 Posts |
By the blackening of my thumb... something shiny this way comes.   How's the quarter holding up? Let's see both! ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!! 
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Valued Member
United States
272 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
And if you haven't heard it enough already... |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3343 Posts |
iPhone snapshots aren't the greatest pictures, but this will give you an idea. The damage is self-evident. The bend comes from a good smash across the face, from the mouth to the hair bun. It looks like whoever dug this was working freely with a pickaxe. The silvery gouge on the reverse is due to reflection, and it's golden in-hand. The weight is 8.0 grams, which is about right for the wear and abuse.   I used a modern quarter to rub against because the metal is harder. I'm working on the obverse of the half eagle right now. At this point, the only effect is high point polishing on the rim Cuds and the bust. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/04/2019 6:48 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Very tough coin, fascinating project. Have you sought any advice on improving this?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
Nothing other than the old adage coinfrog. It will always be a pocket coin. I'm just trying to smooth off the sharp metal edges. Any other ideas? If it graded it'd be about F-12 or 15, but the bend and deep gouges pretty well finish it off. Maybe if I work it down to an AG, but that would take years....
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/04/2019 6:59 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
Let me get this straight, you have a "nice" but beat up $5 gold piece, that you are trying to wear down, trying your best to make it into an AG grade coin? Am I missing something here?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
This "details" coin has two virtues merclover. Rarity and bullion value. I don't think it would straight grade even if were worn to AG3, due to the edge damage and the bend. When I got it, it would snag cloth.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/05/2019 07:54 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
I will carl, but not today. I've given them beat up cc Morgans and cobs. So far only one of them has caught the collecting bug.
That coin is 200x scarcer than a 1916-D Mercury. They wouldn't appreciate that....they'd sell it to buy Magic cards....
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
10/06/2019 10:53 am
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
its rare enough that I would leave it alone. Sell it to someone who does not mind the condition.
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Moderator
United States
188506 Posts |
Interesting project. Keep us updated!  |
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Valued Member
United States
469 Posts |
It will never get a straight grade. Looks like a road kill coin.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,864 |
Posted 10/04/2019 4:08 pm
