Chuckle, well the other thread tanked so I'll try again. Here is an 1821 Capped Bust Half which attributed at O-106 R-1, just another relatively common variety but still one of the 450 or so out there to be had. BTW, I've only got 111 different varieties and 121 different coins in the BCBHD Collection so the hunt will continue for years... What grade would you put on this crusty busty??? Thanks for taking a look Ben
Sorry, but my eyes must be going, I don't see the cleaning. But, even if it is, still a great addition to the old collection.
Frank, Note the darker areas in and around the stars, Date and Lettering while the inner fields, Miss Liberty and the Eagle are much lighter! I may be wrong but IMHO, this is an indication of a very old cleaning. Frank
Frank: I see what you are saying, BUT, obviously a big but, would that prevent it from being graded. Okay, I know -- everyone hates those slabs, however, when it does come time to sell, if they are slabbed your estate will do better than if they are not.
I want to say VF30 - it may have been cleaned, but that would not bother me on this coin. The only thing I find distracting is what looks like an old scratch on the wing. Overall another nice addition to the collection.
Another Nice one Bone. Man I like these busties. Cleaning? Dang, this coin is almost 200 years old. Maybe it was cleaned 100 years ago, who the heck cares. It would certainly be a welcome addition to my collection, as it would I bet most anybody here. Keep em coming buddy. Jim
Indeed, The Bonedigger Coin Grading (BCG) system is loosely based on the RedBook standards with two other factors applied. I totally discount the color/tone (or lack of -- cleaned) of a coin and might add (or might not) a point depending on the size of the coin and it's composition. Personally, I think the grade of a coin should be based on the owners opinion after gathering all the peripheral information available about the series. For example a Bust Half Dollar (lettered edge) wears differently from say a Seated Liberty Half Dollar based on two factors. #1. The size difference and #2. The metallurgical make-up, the bust half is only .8924% Ag and .1076% Cu. Take Care Ben
And I would never have a problem with that Bone - except for one little thing. That is the problem with grading today - because everybody uses a different set of grading standards. And if every owner used their own set of standards, or 1 of a half dozen others - just how meaningful is the grade that they assign to one of their coins ? Everbody always talks about how screwed the grading system is - about how screwed up the TPG's are. Well ya know why they are screwed up ? Because we, the collectors, keep it screwed up by insisiting on using our own grading standards. We all need to use the same set of standards pal. Until we do - there's not a chance in the world that the TPG's will.
TPGs ? Chuckle Doug you know me... Buying collector coins is always going to be like buying a used car. No matter who writes what on the windshield, the flip, or the slab the person who gets the best deal ultimately knows more than the salesperson or something the seller misses...