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 Replies: 31 / Views: 4,424 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
I purchased a 1883 Seated Liberty dime a couple of days ago at a coin shop 20 miles from my home. It was told to me by the owner that it was XF, which is what is wrote on the 2X2. Being my first somewhat big $30.00 (for me) purchase I got all excited and I did not look at the coin. I know, first mistake. Anyhow, I get it home, showed the wife and took it to my desk to put it in my album. I got out my loupe and took a look at it and noticed the "S" in states looks like it was lightly smashed. Also the "E" is somewhat worn. Being a newbie at this I don't know wheather to take it back or see the coin for what it is. Thanks for any advice you can give me.  Wornslick |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
wornslick can you post pics of the coin?
My advice is always "never settle for a coin that you will never like in your collection".
if you don't like it take it back, show the dealer the coin( I hope its still in the dealers packaging?) ask him for a coin that meets the grade its supposed to be, if that fails ask for your money back.
if you should happen to get stuck with it , put it in an airtite and take it with you everytime you go to buy other coins as a reminder to take your time at the counter.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1304 Posts |
I tried with no luck to take pics metalman. My camera is a Nikon Coolpix L10 and I don't have a tripod so they come out a little blurry. I am going to try and scan the coin.
Wornslick
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
Sorry, can't tell much from the small image. The coin likely would grade at least VF but I can't see damage or strike weakness (that might account for the reported worn E in STATES). Your Nikon could probably take adequate pictures even without a tripod. You need to use strong lighting so the exposure time is very short. Then even a hand-held shot can be pretty sharp.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Yeah I didn't firgure anyone would be able too. When I have the pic in Picassa I can enlarge it and it is very clear. Maybe I can upload on Photoshop and increase the zoom. I need to go in the photo forum and try to learn about lighting.
Wornslick
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Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
Wornslick,
Here is what I do because I am a quadriplegic and cannot manipulate the camera. Find a good resting spot for the coin with the proper background on a table, set the camera on the table in line with the coin and simply press the button. This way the camera does not move at all and your pictures will come out clear. Always make sure if you are taking a close-up that you have the macro turned on. The other way that I do it is the exact same way except I used the timer so that the camera is exactly still when the shot is taken. Try that if you like and then post it if you can. I hope this helps!
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
hemisboats, are you posting through a verbal interface or does your motor control allow the use of a mouse/keyboard? I ask because there's software out there which will allow complete control of the right cameras through keyboard or mouse - that's how I shoot all my stuff.
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Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
hello superDave! No I do not. I use nuance speak easy voice-recognition software. It does pretty well but sometimes it can really screw things up!  I do have a microscope, and with a digital camera attached so that I can view the real details of the coins and take pictures at the same time. I am kind of excited about it should be here Monday. Any other questions don't be afraid to ask! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Thanks for the advice hemisboats, I have to leave for awhile but will try it as soon as I return.
Wornslick
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
I'm surprised that the scan didn't work better. You should be able to scan just the area of the 2x2 or less at 72 dpi at 100% so that the final image shows up life-size or larger when posted.
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Valued Member
United States
280 Posts |
it could be corroded, I have a 1838 Half Dime with the same problem but it is on the reverse, it is slabbed by anacs as F12 corroded, I bought it because it was super cheap and has nice eye appeal, I will see if I can get a pic of it so you can compare |
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Valued Member
United States
258 Posts |
Let me state for the record that EVERYONE has made mistakes when it comes to coin collecting. This is what we call a LEARNING TAX. You learned the lesson BUY THE COIN, NOT THE CONTAINER very CHEAPLY. That in itself is worth the $30.00 you paid.
Now having said that I cannot see the coin well enough to grade it but minor damage is permitted in coins graded xf IF the coin has most all of the details. If you truly do not want this coin in your collection then ask the dealer if you can do an exchange for something else. If you want it for the collection but truly believe it does not grade at the xf then ask for a small refund or a little bit extra coin. Most of us dealers are reasonable and want to keep you as a customer so will listen to your concerns and will usually try to rectify it to everyone's satisfaction. BE POLITE and not arrogant or demanding and you will go a long way towards getting some satisfaction. In closing let me again repeat the most important rule when buying a coin whether graded in a slab or in a flip, BUY THE COIN, NOT THE CONTAINER. Sincerely, John Leckrone
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Thanks alot for all the advice. I have tried everything to take a good pic to show you all this coin. Flash on, Flash off, set camera on a table, no luck. I am not sure what kind of lighting I need. Nothing seems to work. And on top of this, I decided to go back to the coin shop that I got the coin from, they were closed. Maybe I need to remove it from it's 2X2 holder to take a good pic.
John, 925dealer,
You are absolutley right, I have learned a valuable lesson. Buy the coin, not the Container. Thank You very much.
I will read the camera book some more tommorow and try to post a pic. Thanks again to ALL.
Wornslick
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Valued Member
United States
419 Posts |
Wornslick,
If you have Picasa you should be able to crop the photo and/or upload it online through Google. I do this all the time... you can then copy the image url (make sure you copy the big one and not the thumbnail) and paste it onto the forum.
Hope this helps.
God Bless,
Brad
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
I think I tried that yesterday soldier4christ. I got a nice scan in Picassa but when I try to enlarge it so you all can see it and try to upload it, it returns to the small pic. I won't give up, I am going to try some different things this morning. First of all remove the coin from the 2X2.
Wornslcik
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Replies: 31 / Views: 4,424 |
Posted 01/02/2010 10:58 am
