Would you....

Submit to NCS?


So last time I sent out some coins I popped out my 1919-D Mercury dime to add to my submission because I thought it looked nice and it's a series I'm not too familiar with so I wanted to see where it graded. While the coin was being graded at NGC I bought a new one for my book that had bad pictures but looked like it'd fit into my book well.

The coin arrived and wouldn't you know, it might actually be better than the one I submitted to NGC. Now although this one doesn't appear to be as sharp on the obverse as my previous coin, this one displays what appear to be FB. I don't think this coin is UNC, but I do believe it's AU. NGC has only graded 7 coins as a AU58 FB with none lower....

So my question, if this was yours and you're into this coin for less than $30, would you submit it to NCS to try and improve the eye appeal? It's a crusty coin and I don't mind, but I'm just wondering if that would help with the grade.


Raw coin considering for NCS... I know the pics might not make it look FB, but I believe it is.




Previous Mercury

 

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I like the crusty look. If it were mine, I would just submit it as is. It looks AU50/53 to me, and you'd have a pop 1 if it got the FB

 

I'm no expert, but I'd call that FB.

Quite a few die cracks on the reverse, too.

 

I would submit it as well, and I agree, FB, 50-53 (but I know squat about dimes).

If it does come back as FB, and you really want one for the album, crack out the first. If it doesn't come back FB, then it goes in the book (or find a third for the album).

EDIT - I should answer the actual question posed.

No conservation, I think it looks great. Just grading and that's it.

 

If you want it to go to NGC, and unless something has changed, I respectfully suggest you pay close attention to more than the center bands, at least if the designation is important to you.

 

Again, I'm no expert, but I like all three sets of bands.

 

I can't see well enough on a phone to comfortably say, but if the OP is interested in chasing designations, I felt it worth mentioning, especially since he seems to be focusing on the center.

 

I *think* he posted that close up of the center band because the lighting in the first image kind of washes out that area, so it was just a clearer pic of that area. But I dunno, just a guess.

 

Or maybe he's not familiar with the different criteria used by different TPGs? If he knows, great, but if not, perhaps it will be of help to him, or even someone else reading this who doesn't realize TPGs have/use different standards.

 

I don't believe the eye appeal of this one could be improved. Certainly not by subtracting anything. From the major crack through the T in LIBERTY to the color to the near-FB, I like this one better than your current one, despite my opinion that it's no better than AU50.

 

I'm not, I just thought it was the middle band honestly. Like I mentioned previously, this isn't a series I'm good with, yet.

I'll have to look when I get it back in hand and see what it looks like. I know it's a lower grade, but if it was FB, even a lower grade would make this coin more valuable than the previous coin.

I'll try and take some new pictures of this coin tonight and see if that changes any minds.

 

Personally, I would NOT submit the coin for restoration as that dark, hideous toning can often times cover up a whole lot of undesirable flaws.

Plus, sometimes, and I mean SOMETIMES, that dark toning goes all the way to the bone! Meaning, regardless of restoration method, some of it will simply NOT go away.

Also, I could very well be wrong but I have always assumed that 3rd party grading services do not usually apply designators such as FB, FBL, FH to circulated coins. I'm sure there are some exceptions and their policies might have changed since the last time I checked but my first impression with your coin is that even a mild dipping is going to really highlight the existing wear and could possibly minimize any premium that you have in the coin.

Just my thoughts.

 

I found this on NGCs website.

So this isn't true?

 

Directly from NGCs fingers

 

There's usually a cut off grade that varies a little bit if I remember right, but generally AU grades will still qualify if it can still be determined from how the wear is. If the wear impacts the designation in question it's pretty much eliminated right away

 

Interesting... if their criteria has indeed changed, it is unfortunate imo, as designations were the one thing that generally separated NGC across the board.

A little searching suggests they still require complete upper and lower bands for designating Roosevelts, so it seems odd there would be a change only with mercs.

 

Whats a FB. Does it mean full bands

 

Yes, ma'am.

 

'Tain't a 58. And 'tis not better than your previous. But are very nice, though.