MS65 CAC!!!

I'm sorry, but *why* do coins like this make it through:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1875-S-Twen...08?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1c453c0b28

The GRADING part I understand. Yeah, okay -- it'll grade, it hasn't been messed with and the detail / preservation is there. I thought the purpose of CAC was to ensure things like EYE APPEAL along with the proper grade for sight-unseen coins.

If I paid for that thing sight-unseen I would probably return it.

Do I just lack the refined tastes of a professional numismatist, or would someone need to be tripping on mushrooms to see that as a "beautiful coin?"

Keep in mind, I like toned coins but the ones that are like... asthetically pleasing. A coin that looks like it was well-preserved in an industrial chimney just doesn't have that "eye appeal" I'd hope for, reading about CAC.

 

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I don't find the toning appealing either, but don't forget that CAC is also affirming that it would buy that coin if offered it (making a market) because it believes they can resell it for a profit.

 

Possibly crummy pictures?

 

Yeah, I would guess that the CAC sticker takes into account the booming luster moreso than the toning, in terms of eye appeal. I like the toning as well though, gives the coin a nice textured look.

 

Okay, so someone actually finds that appealing. It's subjective. I'll buy it.

I like toning, when it's colorful and somewhat even.

Also, for that series the 75-S's are everywhere. I have a couple in AU55/58 but I have a nicely toned 75-P PF65 I picked up not too long ago:





When it comes to toned coins I'd be surprised if the other one were in high demand among all the other 1875S MS65's out there. I'm still waiting to find a gem for my set with that date and mint that's something I've never seen before. That coin is too common to just go for any 65. Maybe a 67 or just a really, really nice 65.

When it comes along I'll be waiting.

 

The coin linked by the OP appears to suffer from substandard photography as much as anything else. What the coin does appear to have, though, is outstanding luster. In-hand it might be a nice coin, but the images do not help.

 

That's a good point.

You can do a lot with photography, even make it appear *better* than it is.

I've seen this kind of stuff at shows as well, though.

Maybe it's like Picasso. He might be among the greatest artists of a time but I just won't ever get it. With anything though, it seems like opinions on niche subjects as these tend to converge more in a subset of peope with a deeper knowledge and experience level than someone who is just starting. Having done this for a while I'm surprised that's not the case. Then again, subjective is subjective. It's nice to get a breadth of opionion outside of my own, however.

 

The point about Picasso is excellent, in my opinion. I have also never been so thrilled with his works, but he is certainly revered by many.

 

Paul is usually pretty good with his photography. I'm sure the coin looks much better in hand than what the photo indicates. Compressing luster, toning and other surface characteristics sometimes don't come across well in photos. CAC isn't necessarily indicitive of eye appeal, just good for the grade.

 

This coin sold in the April 2014 Heritage auction for $3180. If you have a free Heritage account (sign up for one if you don't so you can view auction archives), you can see larger pictures of this coin here:

http://coins.ha.com/itm/twenty-cent...1875-s-20c-ms65-pcgs-cac-fs-302/a/1204-4194.s

It is described as a "nicely struck Gem with dappled forest-green, chestnut-gold, plum-mauve, and stone-gray toning." Doesn't that inspire you to buy the coin?

 

I have no problem with heavy mottled toning. The coin has eye appeal.

 

Exactly. I bet it is a knockout in hand!!!!!

 

I know some of you guys pop into threads and ask why someone would even slab a lower grade coin. Is the feeling the same when it comes to these CAC stickers? I see the XF grade and I've also seen an AU grade with the green bean. Is it really necessary to debate eye appeal on a CAC level for circulated coins?

 

CAC isn't really set up for eye appeal, but instead puts itself forward as evaluating how solid for the grade a particular coin is as well as stating the coin is devoid of certain forms of surface manipulation, both in their opinion. Therefore, the grade level matters less to me than the value of the coin.

 

Ok, I don't get it. I'll just stop there because you're making me laugh with the G4 CAC. To each his/her own. Let it be a green sticker on a washer.

 

I'll let you in on a little secret, the pompous attitude has substantially subsided in the wine industry. The new motto is, drink what you like with what you like. Any color and taste of wine with any dish. Bottles rarely have a real cork and snobs are buying wine in boxes.

Now, if we can just refine the coin industry to a similar degree... It's coming.