Is it possible that the ground has given up an extreme rarity?

I wouldn't put a number on it, quite yet...

I don't trust USPS either but you can always send it insured.

I agree about going to a local coin shop, just don't sell it

At least, not right off the bat.

 

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Dear lord...

 

That coin, even if genuine (please do not get your hopes up), would not likely be worth anywhere near six figures in that condition. This is not to say that it wouldn't still be quite valuable to the right person, but just don't get ahead of yourself.

Also, I agree with Kirk about taking it to local shop as not all dealers are experts, particularly with something such as this.

 

When you say genuine, do you mean a genuine coin overall, or genuinely what we are talking about?

 

To be worth any big bucks, it has to be a genuine 1853-O no motto. If it turns out to be altered or has design feature that we are having a hard time seeing, it wouldn't be worth much more than the price of silver.

 

Details / PCGS Genuine

They'd authenticate it at least, right?

 

Receiving authentication would be all that you could hope for with PCGS or NGC. I've never seen anybody happy to get a FR details slab, but I'd bet the OP would be thrilled.

 

Could it be possible that this is a copper electrotype that was discarded?

I would imagine that with only 4 known that a counterfeiter might easily target this date and coin type.

A detailed shot of the edge would be needed given the wear on the coin.

 

I would send it in it's well worth the shot

 

Here is an example with no 'rays' in silver though: http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/6270?redir=t

 

how much are you betting

 

More than likely it is not real, but if it is, I would guess easily 6 figures. With only 4 known, condition really doesn't matter much in my opinion.

 

Odds are against it being genuine--like the Stradivarius in the attic. Definitely have it authenticated, on the 1% chance that it is genuine. However, don't expect that it will be the genuine, extreme rarity. Get it slabbed--that is the only way one will ever know.

 

I obviously agree authenticity matters. I was just replying to the poster who said it would not be worth near 6 figures if real. I disagree with that.

 

Compared to the genuine the date appears to be too high almost into the base of Liberty. The date style is right and the O mintmark placement is almost correct but I think it is off slightly as well. The weight would be interesting and I would think it would have a premium value even if it turns out to be a contemporary counterfeit! An unwitting circulating counterfeit of an issue that turned out to be one of the top rarities in the US series!

And even if it was real it wouldn't be a six figure coin in that condition, but it WOULD be probably in the mid five figure range.