Hello all, I bought this coin a week ago thinking it was an MS 60 or MS 61. What do you think? It's my second pre-33 and I am excited as heck to receive it. It should be here tomorrow....
Well, it's in a PCGS Details, Cleaned slab, meaning it's not worth Mint State money. Aside the cleaning, from a strict technical standpoint the numeric grade would easily reach 61. Once cleaned, though, numeric grades have no meaning. Something under $300 would be an appropriate value for it.
Honest opinion from someone who loves these things? Not a terrible looking cleaning. Of course, pictures can hide the cleaning or make it look worse than it really is, so in hand would be the best way to look at it. I have had a few I've graded that came back cleaned, and I just did not agree with it. With it being already graded as cleaned, I would not buy it for more than $250 (buying to resell) if it looked decent in hand. If it looks obviously cleaned, I probably wouldn't pay over $230 or so.
I appreciate the reply's. The designation does not bother me and I try to buy the coin regardless of what a coin has been graded. I bought this because I thought it was well struck but more importantly I realized I kept on going back to look at it over and over.... I had a $250 max bid on it and ended up paying $241 total for it which is right around what you guy's have mentioned. I have not seen one in person yet so am looking forward to seeing our smoking hot, good looking postwoman tomorrow... Plus, it's not everyday a good looking women bring me riches.... actually, it's a first also..
Well bought, then. I see a decent scuff under the chin which probably caused the designation, but it_is nicely struck and a good addition to the collection at the price.
A suggestion: When trying to see cleaning hairlines on coins or asking for opinions about grades, it is very helpful if a poster uses as much magnification as possible while getting the entire coin in the frame. Looking at a the plastic slab and label area adds nothing. Also, do not photo the slab laying flat. Adjust the light so that it does not reflect off the plastic over the coin and TIP THE ENTIRE SLAB by placing a wedge made of anything under it. With a little trial and error, a poster should be able to make it much easier for us to offer an opinion.
Here it is blown up some. The light X on the reverse is the most distracting to me, but it's OK for the price. Nice buy!
Just what I asked for...Beautiful coin...looks Unc. Still cannot see evidence of cleaning. I don't think you tipped the coin. Now I see that the op did not blow the coin up (thanks jwitten) X is bothersome. Also the 2 patches of discoloration on the left side of the obverse are probably the major "problem." Reverse looks great except for the X.
Thanks for the photographing tips. I am going to print your reply tomorrow at school so I will have it when needed.
That X you are referring to was my biggest hang up when deciding to bid. I am new so I am really comfortable buying raw coins yet. With this coin I figured at the very least it was seen by pcgs so I new it was real. So I spent a long time comparing this coin to others and looking at pcgs photograde online in a pcgs grading book I have... At the end of the day I thought that the strike was solid, and the wear spots on the forehead, chin, breast feathers, eagle's neck, etc were minimal. Your reply has me thinking I should pay more attention to the colors though. I was concentrating mostly on strike, eye appeal and wear. It's something I will remember for the next time. Thank You......
COLOR is one of the most important attributes of a coin for both authenticating and grading. Learn what original coins of every type and metal look like and you will be far ahead of 70% of the people who collect coins. Color indicates a coin's fineness, originality, unoriginality, and wear plus chemical and physical alterations including damage or repairs.
I understand what your saying but with gold coins I am not sure what to look for. With silver coins it is much easier to see and you have much more of a color spectrum from blast white to very darkly almost black toned coins. Gold is kind of hanging me up though because I have not seen that much of a spectrum.. What I do know is if a gold coin looks brand new it most likely has been cleaned... The PCGS grading book I have actually say's toning "really relates only to copper, nickel and silver since gold does not oxidize". . I'll figure it out eventually but I am in no way even close to being comfortable buying raw gold coins yet. I completely understand what you are saying about color though. I would love to find a gold coin with the red, blue's and greens normally associated with silver coins.. Kind of like J Wittens avatar. That coin is awesome!!![/QUOTE]
You are killing me. Those coin's are AWESOME!!!!! It is official now. It might take me a long time but I am officially hunting for something similar for my next purchase. I do not mind the wait since it gives me a chance to save some extra money. Which no doubt will be needed for something like those. I know I sound like a homer but they really are sweet coins and Thanks for the pic's JWitten. I'll use them as a guide when looking.
Is the toning from being in an old 2X2 for many years? I think the colors bring out the details of the coins. Especially in the 1929... I like this look much better than a coin (like mine) that is mostly all the same color wise. I'm jealous.
Well crap, I should not have showed you, cause now I have competition. I have seen VERY few toned gold like this. If you find one, I am a competitor probably No one really knows what makes them tone.
I saw this one ebay and it has me stumped. I am sure it's real since PCGS graded it a MS69 but I am not sure... The toning is only on the back and it looks like it is a gold plated coin and some of the plating wore off and toned.
here is the front just in case anyone was interested.. I probably should mention I am not interested in bidding/buying it. Using it just as an educational type of thing.
