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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,832 |
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
Hey guys. I wanted to get your opinions on what grade this 1858 SL Flying Eagle is. Thanks! -G     |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
758 Posts |
The details look MS. Has it been cleaned?
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Wowser. What a stupendous coin to see polished. The shine on the obverse is completely unnatural - note the haziness around the date, which would not be there if the coin's surfaces were original. Added to which, the eagle itself is far too reflective for an original-surfaces coin.
It could well be a Mint State coin, and no worse than AU58. If it were gradable, which it isn't. This is a coin whose worth could reach $1500 in MS64, reduced to something a collector would probably not spend over $500 for.
I could be persuaded otherwise by different photographs, but I doubt it. The evidence is too clear. It's a shame, that's what it is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5835 Posts |
I will second that. Wow.
I thought it maybe a proof.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Definitely a cleaned coin. That is really a shame. This coin may have MS Details but my instincts are telling me to go with AU58 Details. I see what looks to be the smallest bit of rub on the breast.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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New Member
 United States
14 Posts |
Super Dave and others: Isn't it possible that the glossy sheen on the obverse is from handling, and/or circulation rather than polishing? If it has been cleaned, why the dark spots on the reverse and cloudiness around date and letters on the obverse?
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
The obverse looks cleaned to me, but the reverse may be ok. The cloudiness(I belive it's actually a touch of remaining luster) on the date to me indicates cleaning, because you can see how abruptly the luster is disrupted outside of the more protected areas. On an original coin of that grade, the luster should be apparent over most of the surface. It is a very nice coin otherwise, and I like the reverse!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Get some diff. pics. and then repost you may get diff. comments
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
Thanks to all who commented. Although I am somewhat disappointed in the concensus of the obverse having been cleaned/polished, I am thankful for your honest opinions, and to know the truth. I may post some different pictures at a later date, although I don't think they will lead to anyone to changing his mind about the coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
I would say AU-58, but cleaned, and badly IMO. It's a beautiful coin except for the cleaning and the cleaning is so extensive, that you may be able to get a 1/3 of the value if original. Many collectors though will not want it.
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
If you look at the second picture, you can see what appears to be the light that was used to photograph the coin on the coins fields (mirror polishing). Also, just right of the wing, there are hairline scratches, a sure sign of a rubbing.
Again, beautiful coin, worthy of any collection! Just too bad about the cleaning :-(
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1547 Posts |
Yeah, darn, the life was taken out of that one. Still a nice, crisp coin, however.
Just a little something further on the classification. That's a "Small Letter" obverse, as noted. It's also a "High Leaf" reverse. There are actually 4 die pairs in the 1858.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
Exceptional strike have we ruled out a lightly circulated proof?
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
Fenton: That's what I'm saying! It's probably just wishful thinking though.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,832 |
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Posted 03/20/2011 4:07 pm
