I got this as part of a "collection", and bid assuming the worst (VF). I can't see any trace of wear on the devices, and they seem to have uninterrupted luster -- but the fields are as dull and lifeless as can be. I don't know what to make of it, and it'll be a while before I can go to a show and compare slabbed examples. Here are two shots with the light at a fairly high (direct) angle: And here are two lit from a very low (oblique) angle: Any opinions?
Its a very nice Chief. AU-50. Perhaps the high points were hand rubbed, giving it a shine, while not touching the field ???
Yes and no. The cheek and parts of the headdress are also high points. On the reverse parts of the near wing close to the neck are also high points. The easy way to understand these coins is to think of them like being a die. This one, is would say is XF.
Nice coin! The reverse is great...the feathers are awesome...it looks like there are a few scratches but i haven't seen many raw examples of this coin that has the reverse detail yours does! I see what looks like a tiny bit of wear on the Chief's headdress on the obverse. I'm goin AU55.
Hmm. I wonder if it would be worthwhile to get this slabbed? (Although I do prefer "really nice for a raw coin" to "just another XF45/AU53/55/58 slab"...)
Any Gold coin is worth getting slabbed. It's a way to find out for sure what the grade is, plus, verify that it's authentic.
