What would you grade this dollar? The edge is complete just the best I could manage cropping with the phone.
Probably an F-12 but it has been cleaned in the past. Still respectable but I think it would receive a details grade from a TPG.
Why not- I'll jump on the "F15 details with old cleaning" bandwagon. What I'm wondering is whether or not it's a Chinese counterfeit. Mind you, I don't see anything that immediately trips any red flags with me. It looks OK... to the best of my knowledge... but I get nervous really easily with Seated dollars, is all.
My first reaction is F15, as I see the reverse as having a higher grade than the obverse, in the VF range. I don't like the color of the coin. Doesn't look like natural patina.
Are you suggesting it could be a counterfeit? I can try to get better pictures. I bought from a reputable lcs. I know they'd take it back if it's decidedly fake, overcleaned, or just simply not a good coin for my collection.
The grading is different for the Seated Dollar. The letters in “LIBERTY” are higher in the design, especially in the center of the word, and wear off faster. The obverse is not as good as the reverse, and the coin has been cleaned. The sharpness grade is obverse Fine, reverse VF.
I had to go back and look at mine. Not sure if the design changed that much between 1860 and 1871, but for sure the LIBERTY is incuse on my Seated Liberty Dollar. I need to go check my references now. Z
Your coin has EF sharpness, but the scratches in right obverse field will make it into a "details" grade piece. Note that the "BE" in "LIBERTY" is worn more than you might think it should be. That is the wear pattern I cited earlier.
Don't forget the cleaning hairlines on the reverse in the fields surrounding the eagle. Those bother me more than the scratches on the obverse. Scratches could have been incurred during daily use. Those hairlines are from some ill advised "improvements." Z
