Bought this over the weekend. A 1878-S 2 1/2 $ Gold Piece Graded EF-45 in a old PCI holder. Hoping it's OK on the grade. Not sure how accurate PCI was on their Grading. I know it's a "Common Date" for a $2 1/2 despite the low mintage. I thought it was a nice example. BTW I bought it at XF Bid $250.00 I thought that was a good price
Is there any luster poking out on her? Looks nicer than a 45 to me but with this coin the value difference is negligible +/- multiple grade levels so as long as you like the look that number on the slab is pretty meaningless. Nice coin.
The old green label PCI holders are generally perceived as being more conservatively graded than the gold-label ones of this era, as I recall (and my personal experience bears that out), but I do not disagree with the 45 grade here. In fact, I lean towards AU, personally. The issue, if you intend to try and submit it to PCGS or NGC, is whether it will straight-grade as a problem-free coin. I personally see no reason why it wouldn't - the hairline scratches over the eagle's left wing (on our right) looked worrisome at first, until I realized that most of them must be on the plastic. Nice little coin, I say.
Yes..the scratches are on the holder. I probably plan to just leave it in the holder it's in. The value between XF-45 and AU wouldn't be worth the grading fees.
Even if you got it to PCGS on a good day and hit mid-AU I don't think the value difference would make up for the grading expenses anyways. I agree it's a nice coin and would leave it sitting exactly as is!
Yes, just fine in the holder it's in, then. PCI Gold Label (sounds like a malt liquor, haha) is not exactly a premium brand of plastic, but it's better than raw, certainly.
Your coin looks like AU details, but possibly cleaned. I also have an AU 1878 $2.50, but mine is from Philadelphia. I bought mine many years ago for about the same amount as yours. Maybe you should get yours authenticated by PCGS to make sure it is genuine because many are counterfeits.
I think PCI was competent enough for basic authentication purposes. In their gold-label era they likely let some problem coins through, though.
I'm positive it's Genuine and I'm comfortable with the grade. I don't see paying PCGS to tell me something I already know.
