1877 Indian head --> what do you think?

I'm having a hard time with this one. It is a raw coin and all indications say its real, but it looks like maybe a light cleaning some time ago. Either way, there are EF or better details and it is still a pretty coin. I am waiting on a better picture of the reverse (it does have a shallow N). Will post reverse pics when I get them.

Does anyone see anything that says this coin is not real? What about cleaning? Thanks,

RR

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Please just don't clean it!

-Taylor

 

I should have been more specific......Do you think this coin has been cleaned at all in its past? I would never clean any of my coins.

 

Oh... am sorry! I am also sorry that yes, these coins are most likely cleaned!
-Taylor

 

I disagree. This coin looks to have some nice mint lustur left. I don't detect any signs of the coin being previously cleaned from the photograph you have included. Looks like a better AU coin, but this is just my opinion. You should also include a photograph of the reverse of the coin. Without that, I (and I'm sure many others) cannot give the coin a solid grade. Also, is the coin slabbed? It looks to be slabbed from the angle the coin has been photographed at. Is it one of those generic, "basement slabber" companies and this is why you are asking for our opinion?

-Brian

 

Its been cleaned I think! hmmm.....I cant argue with a coin dealer!

 

Whizzed? No. I do not see any signs pointing to THAT worst-case-scenario. The coin would exhibit many hairline scratches on the surfaces if it had been whizzed. The only scratched I detect are on what I believe is a slab, or whatever the coin is currently being stored in.

-Brian

 

I also agree with Brian I think whizzing is much more apparent than these scratches. It looks like rough circulation to me imho.

 

the reflection/scratches in the denticles under the date seem to flow well past the coin. so taking the coin out of its holder(unless a sonically sealed slab would give us a better view. Am I to understand by your post that the coin isn't yet in your possession?

 

Lol.....This is embarrassing! Thanks Brian
-Taylor

 

the coin is currently in generic hard plastic case. It is not even in a "basement" grading company's plastic.

I should be able to get some better pictures up in the next week. Thanks for your input everyone.

 

the coin is not in my possession......yet. I was told that if I want it, I can get it for $1,950. Looking at greysheet, that is less than XF bid. I would grade it at worst AU details. Still a very expensive coin, but it would obviously be the centerpiece of a complete IHC collection.

 

It looks to have been lightly cleaned... The surfaces look off for an AU... But definitely not whizzed. It's probably priced that way due to the cleaning.

 

Good luck!

 

Well I was part right! Well according to you and me!
-Taylor

 

I believe the surfaces may look a little bit "off" just partially due to the poor photo quality (no offense to the CT ) and the angle that the coin was photographed at. It does not look like diffuse lighting was used. Artificial lighting can sometimes cause a coin to look to have been cleaned, or at least I have noticed that from previous situations. It is not a documented fact. I'm sticking with my gut and going with original surfaces .

-Brian

 

You are smart Brian! I would probably stick with you if I didn't have such a big thought that this coin is cleaned!

 

No problem at all, buddy . Not trying to bash your skills in any way. Just stating what I BELIEVE to be correct.

-Brian

 

Yeah, they probably are!
-Taylor

 

You can always retract your opinion about the coin being cleaned. Although, it would look odd since it has been stated numerous times in the thread that it HASN'T been cleaned,

-Brian