Hi CT friends. I don't post very often in this section, being rather on the darkside with my cherished ancient coins The following coin isn't mine, belonging to a fellow collector, asking on a french forum for advice about its grade. As we (and they) aren't familiar with the Sheldon scale, I suggested to post it here instead, where people are fond of "GTG posts", and very knowledgeable, to get an elaborate answer. In the meantime the owner of the coin did some homework, which is always good to drive attention, rather than just asking "what's that thing worth ?" The coin is 27,04 mmin diameter, 1,85 mm thick, and wieghts 16,57 g, which seems consistent with the real thing. It seems to be a "2b variety", which I can't tell anything about myself. The coin has already been posted on another forum, where it was assigned a grade. As always, based on pictures only, the appreciations vary from one poster to another (I will not disclose them now, as I wouldn't want people here to feel inluenced in any way). The main advice they got is to have it certified by a TPG, considering the rarity and desirability of the coin, even in this condition, Which I think is the best to do too. Anyway, with no further ado, here is the coin : Thanks for looking and for any (good) advice you could give about it Have a nice sunday. Q
Real rare. Possibly cleaned Hoping no but tough to tell from pics but nice This saw a lot of use in western commerce I bet. F-15 my grade
I agree with @Mainebill as well, but will go a more conservative F12, though I suppose F15 is not out of the question. I reckon it's anyone's guess whether it would straight-grade at a TPG (I think it's got a reasonable chance), or whether cleaning or some other issue would warrant a "details" grade. Going to PCGS Paris, is it? That would be good, I think.
Thanks guys for all those answers. They are consistent with what was said at the other place, most people giving it a F15, with only one generous person going as high as VF20 I agree it's what they should do, but again, it's not my coin. IMO F12 would be fair and F15 a good surprise ! Q
Q: For future reference, if grading questions arise regarding US coins, you might wish to consult PCGS.com and download their very detailed & complete pictorial guide to their grading standards for every for-circulation US series. It runs, literally, from P-01 to MS-70; I find myself consulting it regularly. I’m not a dark-sider myself (too late to start, I guess, after 75 years doing US!) but I greatly enjoy the literate, civilized & informative posts of yourself and your enthusiast colleagues. D.
It’s a very rare date. The lowest graded at pcgs is f-12. The lowest selling price I could find was for a details grade at $7k. A straight fine 12-15 I think would realistically sell between $8-12k depending. A cleaned details probably still in excess of 5k. I bet there’s less than 60 known extant in any grade
Thank you for the comments and tips guys, very useful I bet it's never too late, and what a joy to hold something 2000 yo in your hand ! Q PS : as soon as the OP coin's owner has it graded I will keep the community informed. Stay tuned !
VG-8 I looked at the Fine-12 in a Heritage auction, and it is nicer than this coin. The “LIBERTY” is not a grading point because it’s very deep into the coin. If the liberty partially worn away, the coin is less than Good.
I'll go with VG 10. Lots of dirt in the recesses, I doubt cleaned, photos just look a little washed out . Good luck on the grading submission!