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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,046 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
I almost bid on this 1921D Mercury Head dime... but too late now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/11074136315....m1438.l2649I'm thinking it would grade between a strong G4 or a weak VG8... almost half the sticks on the fasces are visible. It sold for $72.00... too much for a G4, but cheap for a VG8, right? What do you all think?  Should I have bought it?  Les (yes, there'll be others, lol  ) |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
It may just be the angle of the photo, but the reverse rim looks flattened a bit at 2oclock. That would be enough for me to have passed on it.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10635 Posts |
What would have caused this rim flattening? A poor strike, or PMD? Les |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
 There is something up with this coin--it's pretty amazing how the human eye can pick out these anomalies. Just for fun, I subjected the seller's pic to some photo-analysis. The box bounded by (a) are the edges of a perfect circle, indicating the seller has shot this coin at an angle-- yet in focus. Therefore, if the coin was round, it should be bounded by the edges of an ellipse, as shown by the dark line. However, the rim at section (b) extends beyond the ellipse, suggesting the coin is deformed. It may also be @ 5:00. While (b) could be lens distortion, the sharply-focused, angled shot concerns me--it may be an attempt to hide PMD.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
The outline looks pretty odd and lumpy on the reverse (notice how the wear is heavier in the out-of-round area), but I don't think the damage is that out-of-line for the grade. However, a nicer one will come by in the grade range your looking for. Save up and hold out for one you really feel good about.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
Quote:
Save up and hold out for one you really feel good about. Wise advice Captainfwiffo. It's funny when you hesitate and you're not sure why... it must be your subconscious telling you to stop, lol. I have been looking at 1921D Mercs on ebay the better half of the afternoon, and there are many of them available, but nearly all are way overgraded and very over priced coins. I'm looking for a solid VG8 for under $100. Oh well, no rush, and part of the fun is the search, lol. Interesting observations DVCollector. I think you're right... it seems something is funny with the photo on this one. Thanks for your input! Les |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
I don't think the seller was trying to hide anything. Most digicams shoot with a narrow aperture and highish ISO to allow for a higher shutterspeed, the smallish aperture resulting a larger depth of field.
In other words, there's nothing really strange going on in the pic. The seller was trying to take a good one.
BUT, I wouldn't worry about it. Coin collecting is all about patience. No reason to kick yourself if you weren't sure. =) One thing I've learned is there's always another, better one around the corner. Often I have said, "dangit, I shoulda got that one!" only to find another, better deal a little while later.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
870 Posts |
There are a ton on the Bay worth looking at right now, some certified and in a decent price range. That said, that search yielded quite a high number of proof quality VG's and VF's. I love those proof quality VG's.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
What's the opinion as to the grade of this Mercury '21D dime? Would you grade it as a VG8?
Les
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Well...perhaps the seller didn't mean anything by it--so don't quote me on intent.  That said, any time a coin looks funny, it's good to pay attention--particularly if the photo clouds the issue. One of my favorite quotes is from a movie "Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt."  In other words--trust your instincts; they won't fail you. Edited by DVCollector
09/17/2011 8:44 pm
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Valued Member
United States
450 Posts |
I think it would barely grade GOOD, so I trhink you were smart to pass...
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Good call passing on that one. I wouldnt have paid anything over 50 bucks for that. Its not valuble enough to get graded, and if you ever tried to sell it, you'd never get VG price for it. Everything I buy, I always grade it at a lower bracket just to be safe. I bought the 21 for 25 bucks last year and the 21d for 45 bucks, so there is good deals to be had out there.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,046 |
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Posted 09/17/2011 4:31 pm
