XF45 VS AU50 w soft reverse strike

These two coins are remarkably similar in price - the AU50 just a little more. I think I prefer the AU50 because the obverse is so nice - but the reverse strike is soft in the lower left quarter. What do you think? Which one do you like better?

 

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The lower coin should be the AU - talons don't lie - and it's got a rather serious PVC plasticizer problem.

 

Above? Thanks for taking the time to reply. I guess I should have identified them better. The top picture is the XF45, the one on the bottom is AU50. the AU50 picture has a gray background, the XF45 has a brown background.

Thanks

 

Thanks, Super Dave - Hmm. that's come up before. (yes, the lower coin is AU). Could you elaborate on why you believe there's a plasticizer problem?

 

You can see the green on the coin near the shield in the bottom coin.

 

Ah, Yes, I see what you mean. However, if it's pvc, shouldn't it be on the high points rather than the low points. And why wouldn't it be on the reverse? Just wondering? and BTW, I'm really glad you pointed that out! I had missed it.

 

Both coins appear to have been cleaned. The top one not harshly so, nor as obvious as the bottom, having started to retone and build a more natural-looking patina to bring on a more original look. The bottom one just looks bland/dull. If I were to choose, top one hands down.

'dude

 

I cannot believe that TPGS put that coin in a slab with ACTIVE GREEN PVC. Shame on them. They should have called you for permission to remove the green with acetone for FREE - takes ten seconds, and then slabbed it. That's the meaning of true customer service.

I read/saw "after" photos on the NGC forum about a Peace dollar that was conserved in that way by one of the smaller TPGS's.

If you bought the coin already slabbed; I'll bet if you Email them and QUOTE THIS POST and SuperDave's and pay postage both ways they'll do it for FREE.

 

Don't own it, and it doesn't appear that I will. Very helpful all around! The AU50 is in a PCGS secure slab! Thanks for the informed perspective you all.

 

Holy crap. PCGS even true viewed that green monster

 

The xf coin hands down between the two posted

 

I like the XF45 better for reasons stated earlier. The AU50 is die pair OC-4, struck from proof dies. The other XF45 might be OC-2. Take a look at the stars left of the head to see if they're repunched I can't quite tell in the picture.

 

I have the xf45 in hand. I don't think the stars are re-punched, but can't say for certain. Do you happen to have a link to more info or pictures of an 1840 OC-2?

 

They do not look repunched.

 

The AU has a lot more detail, in my opinion. However, I think the XF45 has more eye appeal. Neither of them were cleaned-- both were lightly dipped at one time, and have retoned The retoning on the XF is more pleasing.

 

It's the result of outgassing, not necessarily physical contact, and generally appears in the fields around device edges or the deeper crevices in the devices themselves. I don't think it's actually at the point of eating metal yet.

 

Hate to disagree w/you MD. You sound like the typical old time Large cent collectors: This 1844 cent was cleaned once in the 1920's , then toned down until a few years later around 1928 when someone stripped it and recolored it after brushing it in the early 50's with a camels hair brush, etc... These guys claim to know the entire history of a copper cent by looking at it! It frosts me!

I don't know the history of these coins; however, IMO (w/the aid of my magic 8-ball) BOTH these coins have been cleaned as the color of their surfaces, the staining, and the "halo effect" they exhibit is not due to honest wear alone. Thankfully, they have both recovered enough "gray" coloration to be market acceptable.

 

Top coin for me. Likely an old dip and retone but the surfaces look decent. Tho it's a bit baggy. The second is very dipped out with dead surfaces. Add the weak strike and I'd pass