Satin Proof 1922 Peace Dollar or not??!!

I recently posted links to the pics of this coin in the posting"Trivia: 1922 Proof Peace Dollars" but decided to create this Thread to get some opinions and feedback from the Coin Talk folks about the coin! The coin is a 1922-P Peace Dollar which I have owned for about three years, that has a Satin type Finish and I believe accidentally went through the same acid bath as the 1922 "Low Relief" Proof Peace Dollars or that there is a slim possibility that it is an actual "Low Relief" Proof. I was told by a a few so-called Coin Experts, that the coin had been cleaned with a harsh cleanser and that cleanser, is what caused the satin finish look. As you can see from the pics, the coin has not been cleaned and especially has not been cleaned with any harsh cleanser. Although not evident from the pics, you can view the coin with a gem loupe and see Mint luster showing underneath the satin finish (dullness) which is exactly the same as can be seen on the actual Satin Proofs.

So, let me know what you all think! Should I send it off to PCGS or NGC to see if I actually hit the jackpot or not? I purchased the coin from a Coin Dealer, friend of mine who purchased it along with about 39 other Peace Dollars in a bag from a Coin Dealer at the Baltimore Coin Show. The Coin Dealer at the Baltimore Coin Show advised my friend, that the coins came out of an old Philadelphia Estate.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar1.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2.jpg



Frank

 

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I don't know anything about satin finishes, but I see no signs of cleaning - just a terribly distracting scratch on her face, from the chin to the nose! That line of small dings right in front of her lips doesn't add any eye appeal.

 

The strike on Proof 1922 Peace Dollars should be strong and there should be no underlying marks. Friction on the high points or contact marks will leave shiny areas where the matte or satin finish has been disturbed. Beware of fraudulent Proofs where a faux texture has been applied to a circulation strike -- these will show matte or satin surfaces inside any contact marks. True Matte Proofs are extremely rare, with only six to eight known of the High Relief version and only two to four known of the Low Relief version. Satin Proofs are also extremely rare, with only two to four known.

Not sure if the above description fits your coin.
It would be terrific if you had a new discovery.
It's always better to judge the coin first-hand, rather than from a picture.
Good luck.

 

The scratches on the face don't appear to be shiny.

 

The strike, particularly on the reverse, is far too weak to be a proof coin, IMHO...Mike

 

Frank:
Well, I'll just address this in order (of my thoughts):
1) I see no evidence of cleaning;
2) That is one amazing strike!
3) I believe that if it was a proof it would have squared off rims.
4) How is the reeding? They should be very 3-d looking?

 

I think you might have to send this coin in to PCGS or NGS. If you don't, you'll never sleep soundly again for the rest of your life wondering. But explain to them what you explained to us so they just don't give it the 5 second body bag treatment.

 

I do not feel it is a proof.

 

If not a Proof, then how hard would it be for PCGS or NGC to determine whether the coin went through the acid bath with a batch of the Satin Proofs? I feel that at the least, this may be what happened to the coin. Also, I brought up the picture of the Reverse of the 1922 "Low Relief" Satin Proof on the Coin Facts website and put it side-by-side to the picture of the Reverse of mine and they do not appear much different. The rims are more even and PEACE is stronger on the one on Coin Facts but ONE DOLLAR and the Eagle appears stronger on mine and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the rays appear about the same on both.

I will try to take some better pictures in natural light and also take some of the rims and post them tomorrow or Wednesday. Thanks for all of the comments so far and I hope others will weigh in with their thoughts as well!


Frank

 

I would say no to proof. Weakly stuck. Look at the lack of detail on the feathers on the eagles wing and leg. I would send it off to be graded, never know. I'm not a seasoned peace dollar collector yet. I would love to see the coin in hand.

 

You might have to look at the surface of the coin under a microscope to compare, to me it does look circulated but also is odd as you say.

 

According to Q. David Bowers there are only 2 sandblast and 8 satin low relief 1922 proofs known to exist. He goes on to say that many MS coins have claimed to have been proof.

My advice is this, if you truly think you hit the jackpot, then certification is the only thing left to do. Many mis-attributed rarities are treated as common coins by people, so wear could happen even on a coin of this caliber. For the $40 it would cost, I say if you truly think it might be, then go with your gut and find out.

 

send it to anacs first and at least they'll authenticate and label it. then ship it off to pcgs or ngc if good report from anacs, this would be cheaper to ease your mind initially.mho

grizz

 

Additional Pictures of the 1922-P Peace Dollar!

As promised, I was finally able to take some new pictures, upload them to Photobucket and post them here on Coin Talk! I trully hope that the pictures will show everyone the texture of the finish on the coin and make the point that i stated in my post when starting this Thread! The pictures did come a little lighter than I expected in natural light and the coin is actually a little darker and more dull in appearance. The first two pictures are unedited but I hade to manipulate the brightness and contrast on the remaining pictures as they were either too bright or too dark.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2027.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2028.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2026.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2018.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2005.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2006.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc37/huntsman53/1922PeaceDollar2009.jpg


Frank

 

Your coin has a die crack on her neck, very common on these coins because of the high mintages. My guess is that a proof coin should not have this crack.

 

But I just thought of something.....if you can find some nice close up pics of the proofs, we can VAM your coin to see if it has the right die pair. It would be fun.

 

Frank,
What was the outcome? Did you send it to a certification service?
Bruce

 

Would a proof have cartwheel luster ?
rzage