What y'all think this would grade as? Grading is not one of my forte's at all, all I know is if I want it or not! Just kidding, I have an idea but usually I tend to under grade. Anyone want to take a stab at this well worn gold coin over 157 years old? I appreciate all responses as I'm all over the board with this one although I think an XF is in order, I keep thinking elsewhere like F12 or G6. Need help friends!! :thumb:
Just for my learning curve. At one point it's that coins life time was that cleaned? I ask that cause there's the dirt (or whatever it is) around the stars, lettering, numbers and face and same on the reverse. it's a great looking coin and I will gladly take off your hands...for free -shrek
My guess - it wasn't. When they get that worn most of the dirt is worn away because the coin is so smooth. All you will usually see is around the edges of the devices.
This is an interesting coin. The 1853 issue is known as one that is more often found weakly struck than other issues, but the wear pattern makes it appear that there was something wrong with the collar on the viewer's right side since the rim is so weak on both sides of the coin in that area. I could live with F15 for an obverse grade, but would not want the coin at higher than a VG10 overall grade. I do not think the coin has been cleaned from these images.
Yeah it's hard to say about a cleaning b/c there's so much wear. I was thinking about selling it earlier today as I had a chance but it's kinda grown on me. Lopsided wearing pattern and all! I'll take the F12 call, at least it was somewhat different on both sides and others saw it as well. Honestly I didn't know how to call the grading on this one and I'm really glad some of the forum's top dogs showed up. too cool! I appreciate it up there guys!! :bow: I'm not worthy...
Without knowing the series I'd give it a boarderline grade of VG-10 or F12. The reverse could keep it from the Fine grade....
Yeah I don't know how the coin wore like that, can't figure it out. The only guess I can come up with is that the obverse strike was well struck, strong and clear and the reverse was faint. I don't know maybe someone else has a better answer than my guess.
:loud: Aaackk ! :bigeyes: Now here is something truly worth marking on the calendar - Mike grading a coin lower than I do !!
Yeah I considered that too Matt. But the coin, even the rev, meets the criteria for an ANA F12. And the obverse, which is the more important side, even meets the criteria for F 15. But because of the worn reverse rim, I kept it at F 12.
One other thing, you might want to take a look at what the TPGs call F 12. NGC F 12 PCGS F 12 Given this, I rather think that if the OP's coin were sent either NGC or PCGS, it would probably return in an F 15 if not a VF 20 slab.
