hone your grading skills -- liberty nickel

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Leadfoot, Apr 22, 2006.

  1. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    Attached below is my newest purchase, a 1905 Liberty Nickel. Please guess the grade:

    Heritage Pics:

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    My pics:

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    HINT: It is graded by NGC.

    Have fun....Mike
     
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  3. PyrotekNX

    PyrotekNX Senior Member

  4. 09S-V.D.B

    09S-V.D.B Coin Hoarder

    PF 64CAM maybe 65.

    Edit:Totally missed the nick near eye.
    Edit again: Silly me, didn't see your NGC hint. Since it's NGC, and it has color, I'm sure the label's going to say:
    PF65CAM.
     
  5. Speedy

    Speedy Researching Coins Supporter

    NICE Coin....I was thinking about buying a proof V Nickel....but decided to put it off for awhile.

    I don't think this coin grades over PF66CAM....

    Speedy
     
  6. YNcoinpro_U.S.

    YNcoinpro_U.S. New Member

    What 09S-VDB said. Exactly what I was thinking.
     
  7. Burks

    Burks New Member

    PR64.....leaning toward CAM
     
  8. vincent2920

    vincent2920 Senior Member

    Looks about PR65 to me , a few photos show possible cameo but I don't think it would make it.
     
  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    I think the coin is worthy of the cameo designation, it's the toning that makes the cameo contrast appear to be less than what it actually is. When it comes to grade however I think NGC and I would disagree. I suspect they graded the coin PF67 DCAM. IMO though I would grade it PF65 DCAM for to me the toning has advanced to such a state, at least based on the pics, that it borders on causing corrosion. If I saw the coin in hand I may change my mind.
     
  10. bqcoins

    bqcoins Olympic Figure Skating Scoring System Expert

    pr64cam, just because of the eye nick and the apparent cloudiness of the reverse toning around the edge
     
  11. zaneman

    zaneman Former Moderator

    Proof 65 cameo.
     
  12. satootoko

    satootoko Retired

    Just curious - Am I correct in assuming that when you say "guess the grade", you don't want the poster's personal opinion, just what grade the poster thinks NGC gave?

    Frankly I can't answer either question, since I lack confidence in my own MS and PR grading opinions, and I sure don't know how NGC graders think. :D
     
  13. INDERAIDER

    INDERAIDER New Member

    Proof 64DCAM:thumb:
     
  14. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    Actually, you are free to interpret the question however you choose. When I answer questions like this I give what I think NGC would have graded it, along with my own opinion (which often differs)...Mike
     
  15. PyrotekNX

    PyrotekNX Senior Member

    There are a few light hits that I didn't see before. I'd say it's a 66CAM or DCAM.
     
  16. EdsCoin

    EdsCoin Senior Member

    I think Proof 64 Cam
    NGC probably Proof 65 Cam
     
  17. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title]

    I'm terribe at this but I'm going to say PR65 DCAM. The one thing I know for sure is its a beautiful coin.
     
  18. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    NGC graded the coin PF 65. Personally, I think they graded this one correctly.

    I purchased the coin after having a dealer (Mark Feld) who I have purchased many coins from view it for me and recommend an appropriate price to pay. It was on the Heritage online auctions, and thankfully I won the coin for one increment below my maxium price.

    The 1905 Liberty Nickel had a mintage of 2,152. NGC has graded 366 (111 in PF 65, 81 higher, PF 68 highest) and PCGS has graded 432 (86 in PF 65, 44 higher, PF 68 highest).

    Here are my thoughts on the coin:

    The good: The coin's mirrors are remarkable -- even deeper than the other example I own (my avatar), and better than virtually all I've seen. The die is a later state and is starting to show flow lines in the mirrors (similar to what you woudl see on a 1960's proof). The color is much lighter and more delicate than the Heritage photos show, and is mostly green near the rims, and red and blue in the middle. Like many of my toned proofs, I believe this coin is naturally toned, most likely in the original mint tissue. The strike is very nice as you would expect in a proof, although some of the stars (1,2, 11, & 12) could be a bit stronger. The coin has absolutely no hairlines as is often found on proofs of this era, and is a testament to its originality.

    The bad: The coin has two hits on the obverse. Both are around the eye area -- one on her brow and another below her eye. This is what really limits this coin's grade. There is also two very small hits on the reverse below ITE. There is some toning spots on both sides of the coin, particularly visible on the reverse. They are not carbon spots, and they are not corrosion, but rather just areas that have toned in a splotchy way. There are also two areas on the obverse that are seemingly untoned -- one on the back of her neck which is surrounded by light blue toning, and another larger area a bit more hidden in her hair.

    On the cameo status: Although the pictures show some cameo contrast, it is correctly not graded CAM. The obverse simply doesn't have enough contrast. The stars on the obverse and the entire reverse do show some contrast, but the prime focal area on the obverse, lady liberty does not. FWIW, NGC has only graded 6 CAM and PCGS another 8 coins. There have been no DCAM coins of this year graded by either of the services.

    I hope you enjoyed the coin, and I thank you for your participation...Mike

    p.s. Here's the proof set so far. I'm actively looking for the IHC and half.

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  19. cashelclan

    cashelclan New Member

    Have you considered submitting this to PCGS for a swap out?There is only slight bubble out in the SE part of the rim and PCGS might do you one better on this fine coin.
     
  20. zaneman

    zaneman Former Moderator

    Hi leadfoot,
    Are you looking for those proof coins in general, or toned ones?
     
  21. Leadfoot

    Leadfoot there is no spoon

    cashelclan, Yes, I will eventually send them all back to PCGS for regrading once I complete the set.

    zaneman, I am only looking for original, tissue-toned coins with a similar look to the ones in my set thusfar.
     
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