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 Replies: 12 / Views: 851 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10994 Posts |
This is a TPG coin that is designated as having been plugged. Spent some time looking at this coin and it seems to me like the plug was filled in on the obverse to the left of the date uner the lowest lock of hair in liberty and under the 2nd T in STATES. But it is so well done that I cannot be sure. Are you able to clearly see the plug? The plug, restoration of hair, lettering and finishing to match adjoining surfaces look scary good. https://www.ebay.com/itm/145556085624 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3040 Posts |
Impressive work, whoever did it. I'm not able to tell with any certainty at all where the plug is at. I've occasionally seen before/after pics from one restoration expert (his name escapes me at the moment) where even knowing definitively where the repair was it was virtually impossible to spot it. Makes you wonder how many of these get missed by the TPG's! Another reason I never buy a higher-dollar coin raw. Edited by hokiefan_82
02/02/2024 4:00 pm
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Valued Member
United States
398 Posts |
I own a pretty similar coin, called Details plugged by PCGS, it clearly has a little smear/repair on the obverse, but I swear it has no visible repair on the reverse side. I've always wanted to resubmit it and see if I can get it re-labeled 'repaired', which to me looks a lot less horrible than 'plugged'.
Likewise I have a 'graffiti' coin which is surely the least inspired graffiti ever, it just looks like random scratches to me. A resubmit might bring it back 'Details - scratched', which to me is a nice upgrade over 'Details - graffiti'.
I know folks often resubmit hoping for a higher number, or to get a Details reversed, but in cases like this one might resubmit in hopes of getting a "less bad" qualifier.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3262 Posts |
It looks like it went through the top of the second T in STATES, and comes out to the right of the last 7 in the date. Vestiges of a circle are visible in both places. The repair to the top of the T is pretty crude.
I once had an ugly shiny 1872-S dollar. I fried the coin very hot in a pan. This caused the shiny plating on the coin to shed off, revealing a plug. Without that treatment the plug was impossible to see.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
02/02/2024 4:31 pm
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Valued Member
United States
202 Posts |
Quote:
I've occasionally seen before/after pics from one restoration expert (his name escapes me at the moment) You are likely thinking of Allen Stockton. https://crsstockton.com/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3732 Posts |
@numismaticstudent You are correct, the hole was underneath the hair curl (left of date). The opposite reverse side is the first T and the left side of A in STATES. You can see the letters were re-engraved, along with the poor job on the hair curls and dentils.
I bet, with the assistance of a loupe, the lower-tier craftsmanship will be more apparent.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10994 Posts |
The first T in STATES does looks unusually sharp compared to the adjacent lettering and may be a better match to the location of the obverse plugged. Nice observation.
IN NECESSARIIS UNITAS - IN DUBIIS LIBERTAS - IN OMNIBUS CARITAS My coin e-commerce website: https://fairfaxcoins.com |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3040 Posts |
Quote:
You are likely thinking of Allen Stockton. Yep, that's him.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18732 Posts |
Adding images from the auction for posterity.   Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Plug appears to be above the top hair curl on the obverse.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
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Valued Member
Portugal
478 Posts |
Agree with the first T in states being re-engraved. That sharp letter screams repair. Have been burnt with repaired plugs in other old coins. Always check carefully near the rims in any expensive ones. They are worth enough for people do do these things.
The obverse, this last photo exposes it. Very well done, scary. Would be spotted in hand but missed in normal photos.
Edited by jecz79
02/04/2024 1:15 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
692 Posts |
I could make out the repair to the left of the date right away. The reverse was a little harder, but that "t" is indeed very sharp.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 851 |
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Posted 02/02/2024 4:16 pm
