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 Replies: 15 / Views: 4,363 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
I've been looking for one of these and in my search, I came across this on ebay. I have a suspicion it's fake due to the date placement and it being too close to the bust. I just wanted a second opinion. Any thoughts? Thanks http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...t_499wt_1159 |
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
I don't know the first thing about IHC Dave, never held one in my hand, never paid much attention to pictures either.....but, I rather feel that they were created in the same basic fashion as all other coins of this era. I imagine that there were a good number of dies used to strike each year of these things, which causes me to think that date placement could vary considerably on these dies as it does on other denominations......I doubt that date placement should be a consideration of authenticity (unless it is just ridiculously out of whack). |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Hi, David, I looked at mine, and I can't see any difference, the date is the same space from the bust as mine... but, then again, I'm not a Indian Head coin expert.  Maybe, DVCollector could give his opinion..  Edited by SHAFTA9a
12/10/2010 3:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1081 Posts |
The number of dies may explain the placement. I looked at several 3rd party graded 1869 coins and noticed the "1" in particular was much closer to the bust than in the graded coins. Thanks for the input so far.
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
There is a guy at CU named Rick who seems to be quite the expert on IHC....I will try to remember his last name or username....he might be able to give a yes or no determination on it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Since each IHC die was dated individually, the date position varies. Sometimes digits even touch. In this case, the first date impression may have deemed too close, and was corrected. Some of the first date was probably polished away, with traces remaining under 69. To my eyes, it appears to be a legit Snow-3 1869/69. However, the discoloration around the date suggests it was cleaned. The coin may be porous in other areas.--given the reputation of the seller, I doubt this now. From what I can see, I'd give a VF20 details grade. The bronze IHCs often get that discoloration under a layer of grime. When removed, the coin gets splotchy as seen here. Here is a pic of a Snow-3 1869/69 verified by Rick Snow--who could confirm the ebay coin, if the pics are good enough.   Edited by DVCollector
12/10/2010 7:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
Yeah....Snow, that's him.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
Thanks a lot for the information, it's really helpful.
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Valued Member
United States
376 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
The seller has an excellent reputation and the coin looks right to me David.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
The seller has an excellent reputation Oh man...I should have scrutinized that auction more closely.  The seller is the pres. of the Fly-In club, and it's conservatively graded too. Scratch what I said about cleaning--he knows far more than me on this series. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2757 Posts |
I'm late on the ball here. It's 100% genuine - and I can confirm that by the reverse die crack across the shield. I really don't like the corrosion on the obverse though.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2757 Posts |
Just to be more specific, this is a Snow-3f, die stage C. For what it is worth, Rick Snow gives this 'one-star', meaning "Should get a slight premium, probably no more than 2X".
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I couldn't find my book since moving--good info on die state. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
Thanks for all the info, I'm realizing I still need to learn quite a bit more about IHCs. I think I will pass on this though due to the corrosion, I'm looking for a nice problem free coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2757 Posts |
Good choice David. There are so many corroded IHC's from the mid 1860's through the mid-to-late 1870's. Learn to spot them and avoid them, and you'll be fine. The sad thing is that many sell for the same prices as uncorroded ones, especially on the Bay. Just be patient ... |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 4,363 |
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Posted 12/10/2010 2:45 pm
