This coin was purchased and remains raw. Please assign a grade to it and explain how you arrived at your grade: Have fun...Mike
I'm probably going to show my lack of experience with MS coins here, but here goes...MS-63. The scratches in the field are distracting and draw my attention away from the main design, however I don't see any significant dings. There also are what appears to me to be a couple of carbon spots on both sides.
I am more concerned with whether the coin is authentic or not. This coin has been counterfeited a LOT. Some of the things that concern me are: Raised metal in the field of the obverse along the denticles below Liberty (5:30 & 7:00) and near the 'T' of UNITED. A couple of small raised spots around Liberty's eye. Three tool marks between Liberty's bonnet and the first 'A' of AMERICA. Raised metal on the reverse above the upper portion of the right wreath. Poorly formed denticles on the reverse, especially along the bottom portion. Raised lines above the 'R' and through the first 'L' of DOLLAR. A small raised spot in the center of the first 'L' of DOLLAR. A couple of carbon spots on the obverse give a hint of the coin being genuine. I would recommend having the coin authenticated.
Hobo, Very interesting. Of the things you list I don't see anything other than the copper spots, and I suspect the photos are throwing you off. That said I am certainly open to the possibility of it being counterfeit -- I'm not anything near an expert on the topic. Here are some 1000 pixel square shots: Obverse Reverse Here is another photo of the coin (taken some time ago), showing the coin's prooflike nature, which is only hinted at in the first photos: Larger shots of the above: Prooflike Obverse Proofline Reverse There's actually a pretty good story behind this coin, that I'll share later. Regardless, I've thrown around the idea of having it graded/certified, but the coin has never made it to a TPG. Though I would consider getting it certified if you (or others) are concerned. Thanks for looking & commenting...Mike
MS62 PL. I've never been good at grading gold---and it seems that $1 pieces are harder than anyother type to grade! Speedy
That is one heckuva strike, in a series known for poor strikes. The two sets of photos look so different as to be different coins. The first set shows many small scratches and imperfections. I would call it MS62 - nice details in the tops of the feathers and Liberty's hair. Looks like strike doubling in many places - last A in AMERICA, the first L in DOLLAR, and the wreath's ribbons. Excellent detail in the wreath. Really nice ! The second set of photos looks like an honest MS63, possibly PL. This series is known for very frequent and conspicuous die clashing - not this one ! Solid struck-up date - some of these are missing numerals, even on MS pieces. Though it may look weak to some, the word LIBERTY is solid - I've seen MS coins with LIBERTY illegible due to poor strike.
I am inclined to call the coin genuine based on the photos. It shows die cracks on the reverse, and I like the overall look. As far as the grade I would probably call it a 63-pl. There aren't any hits that I find too distracting, but there has been some slight friction in the fields.
Leadfoot, is that the coin which resulted in our making each other's acquaintance? Just in case it is, I won't comment on it for now, other than to day it looks unquestionably genuine to me.
yup, that is an amazing strike...i don't really like the color but, that could be attributed to the photography. nice low mintage early gold.
It is a very nice looking coin. Other than the few questionable areas (which may simply be scratches, die polish marks, etc.) I have no reason to believe the coin to be counterfeit. These coins have been heavily counterfeited and I tend to look at them very carefully. It is really hard to make a definitive determination simply from a photo.
Thanks for all the guesses and comments on this coin. Here are my subjective thoughts on the coin: I grade the coin MS 63.5 PL. I think it is a liner 63 or 64. If forced I'd probably grade it a 63 PL. The coin is very prooflike and has cameoed devices as shown in the second set of photos. It does have several copper spots on both sides and a few planchet voids, visible in the photos. There are also a few hairlines in the fields shown best in the 1000 pixel shots, but they are practically impossible to see (with my eyes) without a loupe. It is very flashy and attractive in-hand. Here's the rest of the story on this coin: I bought this coin on eBay very early in my reintroduction to coin collecting a few years ago (as Mark alluded to in his post above). The auction had very poor photos (small and out-of-focus), and the seller obviously didn't know anything about coins. I wrote them and asked for larger photos, which they provided but they were still pretty poor, and I bid $350 thinking the coin would be AU at worst and won the coin. When the coin arrived I was amazed and at first thought it might be a proof, so I decided to have the coin graded by NGC. Not having a coin graded before, I went to my local dealer (whose been in business for at least 25 years) and asked him to submit it for me. He agreed and I left the coin with him.... A few months go by and I call and inquire about the coin. It ends up that the dealer says he searched everywhere and believes he has lost the coin. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and concerned the dealer may be playing games with me. After some back and forth, and to his credit, the dealer offers to replace the coin with a PCGS 64 coin, which I eventually get at FUN in 2006. The coin is very nice and I am happy with the replacement. A few months later the dealer calls me and informs me that he found the coin (along with some other coins he was going to submit), which had fallen into a stamp album. He asks me if I'll give him back the coin he gave me in trade, if he gives me back the coin he lost/found. I agree, we trade coins back, and the coin in this thread is the coin in question. Needless to say it still hasn't quite made it to a TPG, but it might someday. As an aside, posting the situation on the PCGS forums and asking for advice is how I met Mark, who provided sound advice through the entire situation. He gained my trust through that interaction, and since I've had the opportunity to work with him extensively in puttnig together a type set (my avatar here is one of Mark's coins). Again, thanks for all the questions and comments. I appreciate it...Mike p.s. I use an obverse shot of this gold dollar as my avatar on several other forums to remind me of the many numismatic lessons I learned with this coin.
Very nice coin Leadfoot. Beautfiful example. I'm horrible a grading gold, but I would have to say it is a MS-63 PL B. :thumb: Nice example. :thumb: And awesome story to go along with it. :thumb: Phoenix
