http://www.ebay.com/itm/1812-50c-NG...53?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item4d2b9ba7f1 Was just looking at some CBHs (while watching the Packers). Not looking to buy this one but I noticed it was graded by NGC and was wondering what you guys thought of it. Ive seen a lot of them look like this. If I saw it loose I'd assume it was a problem coin. It looks like the fields have been cleaned but NGC graded it VF. What do you think causes that color difference in the fields around the details?
It is a problem coin, its been cleaned and has a big rim ding on the reverse. Good eye, its important to buy the coin bot the hokder, this coin is a good example.
I have no idea what you are looking at, but that coin looks very original (or at least, has an appearance that I would associate with original). I see absolutely no evidence of cleaning, and the coloration is smooth and attractive. I would not hesitate to buy that piece as an original coin. The rim abnormalities are far more concerning, but it looks like it may be a planchet flaw. I'm not sure it is post-mint damage. And, I'd bet NGC agrees - rim damage that severe should bodybag a coin, and yet they slabbed it as problem free. Because of this rim problem, it is not a coin that I would add to my set, but the coin is accurately graded and as original as you'll find.
I see three different 'skins' on that coin, which I associate with cleaning. There is the texture on the device where there was wear, then the fields have two other different looks. One in the protected area which looks original, then the fields have a different sheen. Not my area of expertise, but this does not strike me as original skin, although it may be market acceptable.
Looks market acceptable with the exception of the nasty rim ding which would be a deal breaker for me unless it was selling for considerably less than it is currently.
My opinion is that the coin has not been cleaned (coins obtain all types of different "looks" based upon usage and storage) and that what folks are calling a rim ding is actually either a planchet flaw or an incorrect feed into the Castaing machine.
I don't think it looks cleaned at all but the rim would bother me. Surfaces look ok the photo lighting may make the color a bit funny too
@physics-fan3.14 does your book cover this subject? Differentiating between original surfaces like this and cleaned surfaces which would look similar to examples like this.
I readily agree those are planchet flaws on the rim, and yes I do mean plural. Thing is, planchet flaws, just like post mint damage, are reason for designating a coin as a problem coin, when the planchet flaw is severe enough. And there lies the rub, a subjective question. In my opinion it is definitely severe enough, in NGC's it obviously is not. There's a couple of things that bother me about that. Early US coinage is given leniency by the TPGs but I don't believe it should be given leniency. If an issue or problem is bad enough on a coin of a later date for that coin to be a problem coin, then these should be too. The other thing is the question of severity itself. For example, when it comes to rim dings there is also a question of severity. A single rim dim, if severe enough, garners a coin the problem coin designation. And any coin with a rim ding as bad as this planchet flaw is would be a problem coin. So if it's severe enough in that case then it should be here too.
Not, IMO, planchet flaws. It appears that the blank was fed through the Castaing machine at an angle causing the edge lettering to extend over the edge. It is quite common on early date capped busts halves. Here's another--same date and die marriage.
One issue, the 'rim ding' is visible at the same location on the obverse and reverse, could the edge lettering extended over the edge in both directions at the same place?
Yes. I have a chapter on surfaces, including several different types of cleaning and how the appearance changes. I also have a chapter that discusses wear. Based on the pictures, the only thing I see going on with the fields of that coin is circulation.
I don't see any evidence of cleaning, but I do not like the rim issues and would not buy the piece as a result.
