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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,226 |
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Especially 1838-1840, seem to almost always come with an obliterated reverse in low grade. Don't see this much with dates after that. Strange....  |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
the reverse die was very shallow and delicate, add to that the overpolishing that was done to prolong the dies, and it becomes "not so strange"
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Rest in Peace
 United States
5375 Posts |
Yeah, that makes sense now....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6383 Posts |
I purchased a raw 1838-O dime in well-circulated condition. I don't have an obverse photo but the rims are full, the portrait is outlined with some drapery lines visible, and every letter of LIBERTY is present, although some are weak. I figure Fine-12 is the correct grade. The reverse on this coin (which I did photograph!) is actually the stronger side. Maybe this specimen is an exception to the "shallow and delicate" reverse die rule....  Hey seateddime48174, welcome to the forum!  I'm another Seated Liberty fan and I look forward to reading many more posts from a fellow collector! |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
hi I'm new I just found a coin collection of my great grandfathers he has a lot of coins dating 1800s-early 1900s I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me answer some questions on what I have found.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6383 Posts |
DKarp520: You will get a lot of help here on your great-granddad's collection. You should make a list of the coins by denomination, date, and mintmark. The Guide Book of United States Coins (a.k.a the Red Book) is great for basic information about where to find mintmarks, among many other useful facts. Post your list and we can then point out any coins that might have particular value. If you can take and post digital pictures that will be a big help. Make sure you DO NOT clean any of these coins. Well-intentioned cleaning of valuable coins can destroy much of their value, so don't do it! We love collections; please let us know what you have! |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
could you post a pic of the obverse ? the shield of the ND 1838-40 dimes was in much higher relief than the 1840-1860 type so it was subject to wearing down quicker and therefore should be graded differently. if it has most of LIBERTY still there, the obverse grades higher than a Fine. it would be fair to grade the reverse as a fine or very close. the ND's are usually split graded (by the perfectionists) I shy away from split grading because it implies that one side of the coin received more wear than the other, which is unlikely. grading of circulated coins is determined by the amount of detail remaining, so if the detail was weak to begin with, it is inaccurate to say that it has been worn away, IMHO
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6383 Posts |
Here's the obverse image of my 1838-O dime. The dealer who sold it to me called it a "fine" and until now I considered it a decent F-12, but no better.  |
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Valued Member
United States
161 Posts |
if someone held a gun to my head and demanded a grade, I would say Fine 12 is accurate, no split but then again, depending on the day up to that point, I may just laugh. notice the "depth" of the detail on the obverse, how its more "3D" than the reverse ? the wreath is well outlined but worn almost flat. the front still has more depth detail
Edited by seateddime48174
04/28/2009 9:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,226 |
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Posted 04/25/2009 02:49 am
