1911 D $2.5 Indian Test

Ok gang!

I am submitting this coin for grading. What do you think... is it real... does it grade? I am sending it express to NGC this week.

 

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Compare to auction records like those at Heritage.

What's the story behind this PQ rarity?

 

Came walking into the store this morning. I'm having it certified for the owners and then I am going to make an offer on it.

 

That's honorable of you. Could be big bucks if everything checks out.

 

This is a straight guess since I am not very knowledgeable in gold coins but, it looks real to me. Very nice detail, MS62, value $15,000. Let me know how far off I am. :smile

 

It could 63.


I just had NGC do copper spot removal on the reverse of a 1914 $2 1/2 piece that graded MS62.

 

It's just not a coin you buy outside of a slab. Way too many fakes.

 

Wow, that's very nice and worth alot more than I thought. At least according to NGC's listed price. :thumb:

 

Not too many marks and good field luster - i'll guess ms62+.

 

Pic three makes it look like there's solder at the base of the D, is that just a shadow?
Are the flow lines continuous on the D? I'm not familiar with this denomination in any regard, but that MM looks so odd to me, although I suppose this year and MM is known for an anomalous mintmark. Did you consider an added MM, or is that unheard of on gold coins? Just some thoughts, regardless it's a 1911 in my opinion, but I'm skeptical about the D. Will be exciting to see the results.

 

I checked my US Counterfeit Detection Guide by Bill Fivaz and compairing it to the book it looks real. As far as grade MS62

 

It's just a shadow on the 3rd picture.

The shape of the mintmark inside and outside is consistent with the issue. I am under the impression that this coin is legit. It even shows the die line inside the arrow tips.

 

I've bought and sold several of these over the years. You definately need to be careful with these particular type Indian gold coins, especially the 1911-D, but it sounds like you already know this.
I don't see anything that would raise a red-flag.
Very nice details! I would guess a MS61.

 

Ok, I'm going to say 62 minimum shot at 63. This blows the 61s and I've seen out of the water and the luster seems quite strong, and the fact that it is a key and has a strong mm will act in it's favor.

 

The thing on these coins that convinces me one way or the other is the mint mark.

This mint mark looks to be genuine. It is the correct mint mark shape. The shape of the interior of the "D" is what I look at for diagnostics and this one looks kind of triangular as it should.

I would say genuine if I had to hazard a guess.

 

I am very curious to see how this turns out. I keep having to come back and look it over again. Pratt's gold Indians have always been one of my favorites, and this one appears to have a really nice strike. The feathers are very nice, plus it has all three full bear claws. I've seen many of these awarded a MS65 grade that don't even have all three bearclaws. I guessed MS61, but I'm not that great at guessing, especially on these. It could just as easily come back a MS65. This one on eBay (400227473019) only has two bearclaws, and it's a MS65. Good luck!

 

There seems to be a slight bit of wear on the eagle's shoulder and neck. I have a 1911-P that looks almost exactly like that one and it graded AU-58. So that would be my guess as well.

 

Lovely coin! Very cool. I hope it grades cleanly.

Here, for comparison, is a genuine one alongside LostDutchman's. I don't know enough about this series to add anything worthwhile.
Lance.

 

Looking around, it appears there are three diagnostics. 1) A wire edge from roughly 10 o'clock to 3 o'clock, obverse. 2) A series of small scallop marks at the rim at 12 o'clock, reverse (the result of the die hitting the reeded collar). 3) A small vertical polish scratch to the left of the arrowheads, in a recess.

#1 and #2 look solid. I can't spot this "polish scratch" on a few of the genuine ones I've looked at so that's no help.

But based on the rest I'd say this looks quite genuine! Impressive.
Lance.