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 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,262 |
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Valued Member
United States
122 Posts |
Hi All, Happy Holidays. Was wondering if I could get some feedback on this 1861 half. The coin has very little wear (the LIBERTY on the shield is actually much clearer in hand than shown in these pics), but the "toning" drives me nuts. What do you think of the grade & what is the deduction for the 'browning'? Thanks   |
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Valued Member
United States
227 Posts |
Not an expert grader but I'll take a shot at it I would say solid EF maybe a little better Still has alot of detail nice detail on shield, lines on liberty's dress and the feathers on the reverse. NICE COIN  |
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Valued Member
 United States
122 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback. XF would be great. Quite a jump in price from VF to XF. If it was clean it would be a beautiful sight to behold. Why can't my coins tone in rainbow colors? :(
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I think this coin would grade VF-25 to VF-30.
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Valued Member
United States
365 Posts |
Just to add my 2 cents (I know they don't make a dollar)
I for one like prefer the 'browning' toning to the other possibilities on these circulated coins. Of course MS is a different story--that's where you most often find the rainbows. But on these guys the toning gives them an authentic feel and at the very least tells you the coins most likely haven't been messed with.
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Valued Member
United States
122 Posts |
So Serious, what do you consider the grade to be?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Looks VF30 to me. The toning is natural - don't sweat it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
VF25 - looks like an old time cleaning to me. Reverse hit hurts a bit too.
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Valued Member
United States
122 Posts |
Hey Prethen. Not disagreeing with you, but what is it that points to an old cleaning?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6385 Posts |
I suspect that the dark residue in the crook of Liberty's left arm and the similar spots in E of AMERICA and at the olive branch are old dirt that remained after a cleaning attempt. Gunk that builds up in such recesses is often not removed by casual cleaning. The obverse has toned nicely and looks pretty original now, but the reverse looks pale and unnatural considering the amount of wear. Overall I'd call it cleaned, but not harshly. Eye appeal is still pretty good.
Gradewise, I'd give it a VF-30. There is enough obvious wear on the high points and rims to keep it below the EF threshold.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
I think the obverse would just make it as EF, but the reverse shows a bit more wear. Overall, I'll say VF-35.
(PS. I like the obverse toning.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
VF30~35. I too see evidence of cleaning long ago and a smokey retone. It's hard to "tell" someone how to discern "an old cleaning". But you can almost bet on it when the toning doesn't lay down smoothly. Here's a bust half that's toned, see how it lays on the surface without the breaks in the accessible parts of the fields.  You can probably see fine hairline scratches on those areas with the least toning. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
When you see enough coins like this that have similar wear, they just don't look like your if they are original. Your reverse is "white" with a teeny bit of dirt left. The obverse is largely "white" with a mottled, brownish toning coming from the edges which is very common for cleaned coins. I consider it "old-time", because the coin has had time to tone the way it has and almost seems to have a "skin" on it (especially the obverse). The coin would likely no-grade at all the major services unless you looking for ANACS to net grade it.
Look at SeatedNut's bust half as an example of what an original, crusty coin should look like...and it's in the XF category.
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Valued Member
United States
122 Posts |
So, you're saying NGC or PCGS wouldn't even grade it? Wow
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1691 Posts |
coin is harshly cleaned and has a gouge under the eagles talons...Net VF-25 at best not worth TPG (in my opinion)...still a nice type coin...enjoy! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
I have always assumed that significant variations in toning can occur based on how a coin is stored and/or displayed and it's environment.
Is it really true that "splotchy" toning and marked differences in the obverse vs reverse toning always indicates cleaning?
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Replies: 17 / Views: 2,262 |
Posted 12/31/2008 11:53 am
