Grading Help, Please - 1878 $3 Gold

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 2,375
christopher walton Valued Member United States 82 Posts	Posted 01/19/2011 03:27 am Well, I tried backing off on the light and I think I may finally be getting the hang of 'gold'. Opinions on grade would be appreciated. Report this Post to the Staff

Jaobler Pillar of the Community United States 6389 Posts	Posted 01/19/2011 05:00 am I'd say EF40, or 45 if some luster remains. All three-dollar dates have been extensively counterfeited over the years. This one looks OK but this is one series for which I would insist examples be certified before buying. Report this Post to the Staff
christopher walton Valued Member United States 82 Posts	Posted 01/19/2011 10:33 am Jaobler .... Thank you for contributing! And, yes, before it goes anywhere, it will be certified. Even though I know where it's been for a good many years and know where it was acquired, that is still a requirement before disposing of any of the collection. My area is oriental antiques and I know what has happened to that field over the years and especially since the advent of the Internet. Thank you, again, for your input. Report this Post to the Staff
Ca Dreamin Valued Member United States 149 Posts	Posted 01/19/2011 10:11 pm I too have one of these beauties, and the same date to boot. It happens to be the most counterfeited date of all the 3 dollar series, with the second highest mintage. If you have PCGS' book on grading and Counterfeit Detection, it talks specifically on the die characteristics of this year. From the pictures, it looks real to me. As far as grade, I'd go xf-40. Nice coin! Report this Post to the Staff
BH1964 Bedrock of the Community United States 10982 Posts	Posted 01/19/2011 10:23 pm Looks EF40 with a light cleaning. Your lighting is better on this one and shows the color well. ANA #R3154474 Report this Post to the Staff
christopher walton Valued Member United States 82 Posts	Posted 01/19/2011 11:07 pm bherring1964 .... Thank you. I pulled back from the source on this one. However, I went out and got a 75w soft white halogen that will work with a dimmer switch. I will get to trying that in a day or so and see if it works out better - I have high hopes for it. Thank you for the ideas about lighting and for the grading! Ca Dreamin .... Jaobler alerted me to that and I took the coin to a very reputible, long-time dealer in Santa Barbara today. He says it is authentic. I may well have to pick up that book, though coins aren't my thing, so to speak. I suppose, what with the silver coin collection, I will probably have to - it is much bigger! What's that they say, 'No rest for the weary'. Thank you for the nudge about the book and for your input - it is very much appreciated. Report this Post to the Staff
christopher walton Valued Member United States 82 Posts	Posted 02/28/2011 5:58 pm There was no indication on the NGC report about this one being counterfeit - sigh of relief! And, it is coming back with an "AU Details - improperly cleaned". Thanks again for all your help and input. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 2,375

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