1866 Shield Nickel -- Scratches Or Bag Marks?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,597
Adam590 Pillar of the Community United States 751 Posts	Posted 08/01/2020 10:02 pm Hi! I am learning so much from your comments on these posts! I have this 1866 Shield nickel that is slabbed by PCGS with a straight grade. I like the coin because there is luster and the fields seem somewhat clean (for the grade--price range is a big factor in choosing coins!), however, the obverse definitely has some marks. As PCGS straight graded this, I wonder what the difference between the marks on the upper level of the shield (that reach down into the vertical lines) and scratches that would make this a "details" coin is. What should we call these marks? Bag marks? Contact marks? Thanks. Edited by Adam590 08/01/2020 11:26 pm Report this Post to the Staff

westernsky Pillar of the Community United States 7618 Posts	Posted 08/01/2020 10:19 pm Almost likes more like uneven toning than it does a scratch. Kinda hard to tell for sure. If it were a staple scratch, or something like that, I think the TPG would have detailed it. Nice coin! Report this Post to the Staff
GrapeCollects Pillar of the Community United States 8938 Posts	Posted 08/01/2020 10:53 pm I see what you're talking about. They look like parallel die gouges, almost like something scraped the physical die itself. Report this Post to the Staff
Jaobler Pillar of the Community United States 6384 Posts	Posted 08/01/2020 11:12 pm I see two diagonal scratches over the shield but they appear minor; not enough to constitute damage so it got that straight grade. I see light friction on high points and loss of luster especially on the reverse. The obverse retains more luster and the strike overall seems above average for an 1866 Shield. Looks like AU-55. Report this Post to the Staff
Zurie Pillar of the Community United States 5668 Posts	Posted 08/02/2020 01:29 am They look like light scratches to me, just not deep enough to detail the coin. I'd say AU-58. Report this Post to the Staff
panzaldi Bedrock of the Community United States 18662 Posts	Posted 08/02/2020 3:58 pm nice example of this type piece. well struck as most are weak in various areas on both sides. AU58 Report this Post to the Staff
Adam590 Pillar of the Community United States 751 Posts	Posted 08/02/2020 8:29 pm Here is the slab! I am surprised that PCGS's grade is higher! Report this Post to the Staff
USSID18 Pillar of the Community 5464 Posts	Posted 08/02/2020 9:08 pm Nice coin and grade! ! Report this Post to the Staff
IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36744 Posts	Posted 08/04/2020 09:09 am The coin looks to be graded properly. The two hairline scratches are in a good spot, not real visible so they got a pass. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,597

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