Ok I was playing with the scanner last night and got some pretty good pics. Today I saw a very interesting thread by bonedigger concerning grading on the forum so here's a few LARGE pics of my 1864 Small Motto 2 Cent piece. The white flecks are dust on the holder and the spot near the bottom right of the shield is NOT on the coin. The coin is raw and part of my number 1 set in a Capitol holder. What would you grade it? http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x275/clembo1872/scan0006.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x275/clembo1872/scan0007.jpg Thanks, clembo
Hmmm, I'd have to say AU-58, but if it hasen't been in circulation then MS-63. That is one beautiful coin. Thanks for sharing. Take Care Ben
AU-58, possibly slides into MS territory. There seems to be some slight pitting and a possible old cleaning. It has a wonderful shield. Nice coin ! Ok, hopefully I did better than I did on the last 2 cent piece.
Bone and Roto, This thread is giving a real good example to the gist of bone's insightful thread. Remember, I HAVE the coin and you only have scans. Let's see what other opinions we get before I let mine loose. Thanks guys, clembo
Post a link to this one of many of Bones insightful threads. I would say MS63 - really nice coin. What is that spot on the left side of the coin? That is the only thing I really see that causes concern. I have passed on auctions on coins that have a spot like this because I can't tell if it is corrosion or just an imperfection on the coin. I probably missed some good coins because of this. And I must say pictures can never replace having the coin in hand. If you look at that 1852 large cent that I posted, you can see the first set makes the pin scratch look awful. The second set makes it look close to what the coins is really like - you have to get it just right to see the scratch. The difference in the two pictures are where the light was placed in relation ship to the coin. What I have found is that pictures (no matter how good) show what a coin really looks like in hand.
Here's a link to Ben's thread: http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=29998 The spot on the coin is nothing more than a bit darker area. No corrosion whatsoever. Like you said though, it's hard to tell from pics - I just put my 16x loupe up to it. For Roto - hate to tell you this (actually I like it). This coin does not have an inkling of pitting nor has it been cleaned. Original copper all the way.
I'm sure you can understand what led me to those thoughts. Obv 9 o'clock and rev 10 o'clock had me wondering about pitting or corrosion. The darker areas around the date, motto, & denticles made me wonder about a old light cleaning. I'm sure it doesn't look that way in hand. I gave it a shot though. It's the only way I'll learn.
And that's the whole point Roto! Bone said AU58 if circulated and MS63 if not. If you read his thread I state that I have a problem with high end AU and MS grades. This thread is just an extension of his and I'm really glad I did it. SO many good points made in his thread that apply here. Now, coin in hand (per se) this is a totally original small motto with no problems. No cleaning, no pitting just a few darker areas. The surfaces are very nice actually and I see NO signs of wear. With a legit TPG on any given day this coin should go MS62-64. I've always considered it an MS63. I bought it about 8 or 9 years ago for $500. Was a big purchase for my budget at the time but damn glad I did it.
