Why is this half an MS61?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by mikem2000, Aug 15, 2011.

  1. mikem2000

    mikem2000 Lost Cause

    Can anyone offer any insight on why this coin is an MS 61. I just puchased it and it sure looks like it should be graded higher to me.
    The reverse has a die clash but that really should should not effect the grading. Any thoughts from anyone?

    Thanks,
    Mike

    obverse.JPG reverse.JPG
     
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  3. WingedLiberty

    WingedLiberty Well-Known Member

    That looks really nice to my eye (based on the photo at least).

    I don't have any experience detecting these, but is it possible it's a counterfeit? It almost looks like it was just minted. I do not see any tell tales signs of it being counterfeit though.

    If it's genuine, I would have guessed it's an MS64 at least.

    The only other option I can think of is maybe it's a borderline improperly cleaned coin, and NGC let it squeak through due to it's age, but they downgraded it.

    I am just guessing here. I will let the experts chime in on this one.

    (It does look like, to me at least, you might have gotten a bargain here!)
     
  4. gbroke

    gbroke Naturally Toned

    I agree I see an MS-64 or higher. The luster looks to be amazing on it.
     
  5. HULLCOINS

    HULLCOINS Junior Member

    Gorgeous coin. Looks like luster is very original to me. Dipping might have happened somewhere down the line, but I think it is certainly worthy of a higher grade. Reverse looks weaker than obverse. That's an older NGC slab... I wonder if a crackout would give it an upgrade.
     
  6. WingedLiberty

    WingedLiberty Well-Known Member

    Mike, if you re-submit it ... let us know what it grades. I would be interested to see that.
     
  7. dfraser

    dfraser Junior Member

    The light angle makes it hard to detect flaws, the reverse shows some major marks and some discoloration at the arrow tips, possibly rust. The obverse appears to have a significant mark on the jaw, so with a different light angle it would be easier to determine candidacy for resubmission.
     
  8. fiestycocatoo

    fiestycocatoo New Member

    That coin is truly magnificent if indeed it is not a counterfeit. I see judging by the picture's a MS-63 easy or higher. I wish my 1809 coin looked a:)s good as your's. Can you show picture's of the edge of the coin?
     
  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Because it's really an an AU58 ;)
     
  10. fiestycocatoo

    fiestycocatoo New Member

    Can you share the reason that in your opinion that it's an AU58, what are we missing that you obiviously see
     
  11. mikem2000

    mikem2000 Lost Cause

    Thank you and everyone for your responses. Here are some closeups of the coin




    obverse3.JPG reverse3.JPG
     
  12. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    I am not as good as Doug, and would to need to see it in hand. He very well could be right, just a touch of rub on the hairline and wing tips is very possible. Also, this coin has certainly been dipped in my eyes. While they "overlook" that frequently with older US coins, it would still be a cause for a net downgrade.

    I have always said I love the old AU58's and thought US grading is silly. I love your coin man, and would love to own it myself. It is almost a full strike. I am not trying to bash the coin, just throw out a couple of reasons why a 61 is not out of range of possibility for the coin.
     
  13. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Two reasons - first the obvious, the grade itself. When looking at a coin like that and the grade doesn't seem to fit - there's a reason. The coin looks too nice to be an AU, but the grader sees breaks in the luster. So he grades it as MS61 - in other words he gave a grade bump.

    I see the same breaks in the luster that the grader saw - on the hair and the bonnet.
     
  14. RedTiger

    RedTiger Member

    My guess is dippity-do-dah, in other words, market graded 63 down to 61 for being a clearly dipped coin, but not enough dipping to bag the coin.
     
  15. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    Leadfoot's gut says: Silent net grade for being overdipped.
     
  16. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter

    I was thinking the luster looked a little dipped out as well.
     
  17. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

    I think I'm on the same page. Just a hint of wear with a lot of eye appeal...so they bumped it a bit.
     
  18. zach67005

    zach67005 Active Member

  19. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

  20. zach67005

    zach67005 Active Member

    Between 1 & 2 o'clock. I added a circle there, but I'll be darned if it got saved. Good eye.
     
  21. swhuck

    swhuck Junior Member

    +1
     
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