should i give up on early coppers?

p.p.s. I also think the eBayer cranked up the contrast on the photo -- which is a much harder transformation to detect (and why I likely didn't pick up on it in the original photo).

 

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I agree since I too am a buyer of slabbed coins on ebay...
I recently returned a coin back to a seller because it was not
the same "toning" that I was hoping for....I'm probably best of
with dealers....

 

I think you are disappointed because often, coins are exposed to bring out detail rather than natural tone. This is not uncommon with copper where much detail is lost if you try to get the tone right. The best way to handle it is with two shots, one showing detail and one showing color and tone. But this is rarely done.

Of course, I like detail more than tone so I prefer the detail shots. An exception is my 1837 which fortunately has both color and detail.

I know I've shown it ad nauseum, but here it is again:



I should note that the reverse always comes weakly struck on this variety and is not related to wear.

 

Just call me the threadkiller.

 

OK.

Threadkiller.

 

900fine had mercy on me ... and sold me this 1833 Half Cent for $375 ... looks beautiful

he said this coin looks exactly like this photo (no photoshop tricks)

 

does anyone know if I can edit the above post and get rid of the attached thumbnail (duplicate image)?

 

That's one exceptional Half Cent.

 

Thanks Marshall ... and thanks to 900Fine ... i was ready to give up on early coppers

And Marshall ... your 1837 is BEAUTIFUL! very clean

 

Very attractive for a 61 -- a grade that has its share of dogs! Nice coin, congrats....Mike

 

Thanks Lead!

Here was more info that 900Fine sent me about the coin ... (I hope he doesnt mind that i posted it -- but i think it's interesting)

I have a marvelous 1833 NGC MS61 with lots of luster. I gotta be honest with you - it also has a few luster breaks which makes me think it's really more like an AU58. But as we've heard many times, a solid AU is a better looking coin than an MS61. I think NGC market graded this one up due to exceptional eye appeal.

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It looks kind of frosty in the photo, but has more cartwheel in hand.

Luster breaks:

OBVERSE - look above the eye and beneatth the letteres L, B, R, and Y in LIBERTY. One observes small areas of a steel grey color, quite different from the overall color of the coin.

REVERSE - Look above the H in HALF and beneath the O in OF. Draw a line from the letter M to the center; look where that line crosses the leaf.

Those luster breaks are probably "album wear". They don't look like circulation rub, which is more generalized and spread across the surface of the coin (especially the cheek). Album Wear occurs when someone puts it into the type of album which has a thin, clear plastic slide on obverse and reverse sides; every time they open and close those slides it rubs on the very highest parts of the coin. Thus, even an uncirculated coin gets rub, but it looks different from circulation wear.

One more reason I don't think those breaks are circulation wear - they are too small, too localized, and don't affect the letters. Circulation rub covers much more of the coin.

For similar reasons, many coins (not this one) get big fingerprints, even on uncirculated or proof coins. Someone wedged it into an album (which violates Rule Number One of handling coins - touch 'em only by the edges.)

Colors:

Yes, they are the same as in the photo. Yes, you are wise to ask questions about digital enhancement and special lighting. No tricks here; we use Ott lights with the camera white-balanced to that light. Zero photoshop enhancement.



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Yes - at least you used to have 24 hours to edit your post. Should show on your post.

PS - that is one nice coin. Nice half cent. Have you tried to photograph it yourself?