1916-d mercury dime circ grade guessing.

So, I have been in the market for a circulated 1916-d mercury dime to complete my merc dime set. I will probably go for an AG-3 or a G-4 by one of the top 3 TPGs. However, this calls for careful attention because, at least in my opinion, the majority of these coins are overgraded. There are a lot of Fr-2's in AG-3 slabs; and a lot of AG-3s in G-4 slabs; at least in my opinion. Anyways, there is one that I am looking at that I consider to be correctly graded at AG-3. I'm going to post it along with 4 other 16-ds that are in G-4 slabs, to gather some additional opinions from you all on board. In my opinion, all of the posted 16-ds are AG-3s. Which one do you think is the AG-3 based on these photos?(no cheating). Also, which coin would you prefer to have in order from highest to lowest based on these photos?

 

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They are all correctly graded at AG-3, IMHO. They are better than FR-2 and not enough detail left for G-4, but I digress...

The order I would rank them (best to worst) is:

#3 #5 #1 #4 and last #2. I just don't like the dirty look it has, I don't know. I think it is the least eye-appealing of the 5.

I also want to add that typically TPGs will be a bit more lenient on key dates. I don't believe that to be the case here as I initially stated.

 

Well in my opinion coin 2 is a g-4 with the rest being AG-3. The coin I like best is coin 5. Coin 1 & 2 the color looks off, could be the lighting - just my humble opinion.

 

I'm ok with the grading as AG3 on all of the dimes too. But I like #2 the best. I believe it has more detail in the reverse than the others. The center of the "D" is clearly visible and there's more detail in the branches.

 

I apologize as I wasn't very clear. 4 of the coins pictured are top tier graded as G-4. Only one is graded as AG-3. My personal opinion is in alignment with Mikenoodle, in that they all SHOULD be graded AG-3. But as stated, the TPGs are overly lenient and graded 4 of the 5 as G-4. My question is, which of these would you guess they correctly graded AG-3.

 

best to worst: 2,5,1,4,3.

I would be willing to buy 2 or 5 but would pass on the others.

 

to elaborate, I think 2 is the finest piece details wise, and of the rest I like the look of 5 the best.

 

my guess is that the one that the TPG said was AG-3 was #4, the one graded by NGC.

 

I think #5 was graded AG, the rest G4.

Jim

 

I would be hard pressed to call any of them G4. Looking past the camera work...I really hate the harsh cleaning of #3 even though it has G4 details...and #5 is too "flat" and looks to have been cleaned, as well.

I don't care for the rim ding between the "M" and "E" in "America" on #2. I like the Obverse rims on #1, but #4 has better Reverse detail (you can actually see the middle and lower bands, some of the diagonal bands, and the sticks at the bottom of the fasces).

I guess I would rate them...(best to worst) 4, 2, 1, 5, 3

Right or wrong...it's a fun exercise...thanks for taking the time to post!

 

I am going to guess #2 was the coin graded AG. From what I can make out, it actually has the fewest detail. It is just the dirt that brings the details out.

 

A cleaned G??? Does cleaning even come into play at a grade where luster isn't in the equation?

If I am off base here, someone please educate me.

 

All 5 of those coins have been graded (by NGC and PCGS if I am seeing correctly). I am willing to bet that none have been harshly cleaned.

 

#3 looks like someone took a Brillo pad to it...(imho).

 

I think what you are seeing is the remnants of a folder sleeve rubbing it.

 

Maybe so, but it's still the one I would want to own the least. It just doesn't appeal to me.

 

This one F-12 Anacs graded it. I found under a old row house. that was a part of the housing for the Marmack cotton mill that was here in Alabama.

 

I would go with #5, 3, 4, 2, 1 and that's with #5 being the best of course. Dimes are really something, I have at least 1 full binder page, no 1916-D of course as the prices are a little too steep for my purposes. good luck

 

I'm curious as to why these coins are so rare and they circulated for so long as to get that much wear....