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 Replies: 15 / Views: 4,080 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Folks, I'm having a little trouble grading this one.....a good bit of circulation wear, some corrosion, maybe some strike weakness (or excessive wear) on the reverse, and a nasty scratch on the obverse as well as a serious ding on the reverse rim. I'm considering listing it on my spreadsheet as VF-20 with a notation about the problems; however, I'd like to get some other opinions. If it were your coin, what grade would you assign it? This one brings me a little closer to completion - I still don't have a 1872 nor 1873, and, given the prices being asked for those two, I may never complete the set, but, like I said, I'm one step closer. Ralph   |
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
"If" it were mine, I would call it VG-10, but then I really have no grading skills. I base this only due to my having slabbed F-12s that look better.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1582 Posts |
zeewool, I sure would like to see those slabbed F-12s that you have. Which TPG graded and slabbed them? I read the descriptions, and studied the photos in Photograde, ANA Grading Standards, and Making the Grade. Based on what I read and what I saw I arrived at my opinion of VF-20 for the grade; however, thats only one opinion (mine). Thats why I posted it here.....to get other's opinions, and I thank you for your response. Ralph |
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
Ralph, please rest assured that my comment was in no way a personal implication, but just an opinion of a novice (which is why I depend heavily on TPGs). I will try to locate and scan the slabs that I have. They would be in orange ANACS holders. The definition that I have for this coin in F-12 is: "Complete motto visible. The word WE weak." Unless it is the picture that may be deceiving me, I would think that the coin might be pushing the envelope on that description.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
I was thinking F-15 details, but I'm far from an expert on these.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
Corroded damaged vf details.
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
 Okay, so I was wrong. I will bow to the more credible assessment of all three of you. I have learned something here.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
I'm guessing F-15. I believe a TPG would give a details grade. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
This one is a bit of an enigma, but I think I agree with nohope.
I think it is a combination of uneven strike and some corrosion that makes it tough to grade. It's got a very clear "WE" in "IN GOD WE TRUST" which you typcially would not see until you get into VF territory. But then there are weak areas on the reverse and shield that you wouldn't expect to see on a VF coin. But I think these are strike issues, not wear. All just one opinion of course.
I like it, tho. It's old, it's a coin, and it's got character!
Best regards,
Ken
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
KenKat, something about an old coin with character, isn't there?
This one is probably cool as a variety, too. There are the large and small motto varieties for the 1864 with the small motto being the scarcer of the two. I base that assumption on the difference in the prices being asked for the two. No idea how many many were minted though - everything I've seen just shows the mintage for 1864.
Ralph
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Another vote for VF Details corroded
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5953 Posts |
Anytime I see a small motto reasonably priced I pick it up regardless of condition. They are fairly scarce especially in high grades and rarely can you get them for anything like Grey sheet. I only manage one or two a year and most are similar to yours...
Yours looks as if some one has maybe dipped it in shellac or something to arrest the corrosion. Perhaps a bath in acetone would help it.
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Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
I'll jump in with an assesment of VF details (low VF) and corrosion. I'm basing pretty much on the shield wear and appearance of the wreath. The rim ding and corrosion would probably cause a rejection by PCGS and possibly NGC. A nice coin but two centers are hard to find in good original condition. Most of the ones I see have some element of corrosion. The mint staters are really pretty.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Ralph, you know, as I thought about the "character" aspect, it looks like the shield weakness and the weakness in "Cents" on the reverse are directly opposite and due to some strike issue with either the planchet (like a hard spot) or just the striking process itself - i.e., getting sufficient force from the available technology to get good strikes. This was a real issue sometimes with certain designs. I think that's what I like about this coin - it reminds you that 150 years ago, minting coins was sometimes a technical challenge and it makes me really appreciate old coins like this. They weren't minting 5 billion coins a year using high-tech machinery in 1864... |
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Yep these go for really high prices, I sold one a tiny bit better than this and ended up getting $310 for it, I was absolutely shocked...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
Same here with VF details, but F-12 money.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 4,080 |
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Posted 07/31/2010 12:35 pm
