1858 flying eagle cent

This is one from my type set that I am upgrading, so its going up for sale on the bay. Anyways, I am really bad at grading these. Would this make fine?

 

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I think so. Looks like a weak strike.

 

Looks like you have something interesting going on here!

 

What exactly?

 

Yeah, I noticed that too Ryan. Possibly a planchet issue? I don't think it is a die crack, because the whole area is raised. There are no similar markings on the reverse.

 

ohhhhhhhh ok. Now i see it...

 

Looks like there's a nice die clash and a die crack

 

I think it's okay to call it Fine details.

The problem, though is that this coin was corroded, and then cleaned. That's what all the black stuff is.

 

Borg is right

Borg is right - that is exactly what happned. I 've seen better fines for sure. Don't get me wrong but over time you will learn if you bought a thousand copper nickle cents they would all look this way or a quite worse. What I'm trying to say is they come this way often - it's when you move up 3 grades that separates the men from the boys.
Ben Peters

 

looks cleaned to me.

 

thanks for the comments. The coin doesn't look cleaned in hand, but I see what you are saying, and it may very well be cleaned. As far as details go, are you in agreement of a Fine? Here is another 1858 for your review. There are a few scratches on it, but the obverse seems to have much more detail than my first one, while the reverse seems to have less. Would this one grade higher or lower? Also, out of these two, which would you rather have in your collection?

thanks.

 

Any additional opinions on this second coin? I think it grades higher than the first one even with the weak reverse and it looks more original as well. Would it make VF? There is a little more rim detail, even on the reverse. I think I might keep it as a filler in my type set until I get an XF or AU coin.

 

The peculiar area on the obverse of yours is a retained cud. That's what happens when a die crack has progressed and part of the die is beginning to break away. The details become weak as less of the die contacts the planchet.

 

The second coin looks like a weak strike, combined with a partially filled die, EF-40.

It does appear to have a scratch on the reverse. Is that the case? That could significantly shift the value downward. I'm looking at a line that shoots off of the T in CENT.

Also, there's something funky with the rim on the reverse at 6 o'clock. If that's a rim nick or dent, that could also shift the value downward.

I do agree, though, that even with the problems, I would rather have this coin mounted face-up in an album, instead of the first one.

 

I agree with borgovan. Also look at the rim around 3 o'clock - might be another light scratch that extends into the field.

 

I believe it's a cud, and I'm sure there's a Snow variety (don't have my books handy) for it.

THat said, the coin appears to be cleaned, and you might consider just posting the pictures and letting the coin speak for itself -- but if pushed I'd call the coin Fine details, cleaned, net VG.

Respectfully...Mike

 

Thanks guys!

I usually hold out for slabbed problem free coins and was planning on doing that with the flying eagle after I sold my first one, but the deal on the second one was absolutely irresistible. The first one just sold(I didn't grade or attribute it, just posted the pictures I have here on ebay) just tonight, and it went for twice what I paid for the XF/scratched one. I couldn't believe it. Ebay is a real mystery sometimes. It's kind of like going to a casino, lol.

 

This looks to maybe just make F12 to me.

 

I agree that what Mark and Borg are seeing are light scratches.
What is a filled die, and what are the indications you are seeing Borg? Is it associated with a late die state?

 

I also received my flying eagle cent today! Today was a big coin day for me! I couldn't be more happy with this one for what I paid. There are a couple of scratches, but they are all but completely invisible unless under magnification. Not a distraction at ALL! Here are some updated pics.