First off, I apologize for the quality of the pictures. These were taken through a loop with my iphone. To start off, this coin was given to me by a friend. My question is, due to the condition of the coin, does it have any value at all? Does the toning on this coin help or hurt the value? I really like the target toning on the reverse. The front looks better in hand, as it has a nice even bluish purple tint. If anyone would like to guess a grade and value I would be grateful. Would this be worth submitting to PCGS? I am also curious as to the grade and value of this 2 1/2 I welcome all comments, insults, etc. I have several other new purchases, but I figured that this was enough to post up for now.
on coin #1 ... i believe the green is PVC and needs to be removed by a soak in pure 100% acetone ... PVC will eat away at the coin (there might already be damage under the green PVC). I think the value in that condition is minimal but makes a nice conversation piece. coin #2 ... yes the toning will help the value a little bit (but not alot) ... assuming the coin will grade UNC, which it looks like it would. The toning might help it bring 10 to 20% or so over the guide price (maybe) ... a better photo would do wonders for your final sales price and could add even more of a premium. on the gold coins ... it's hard to tell from the photos ... but I am a bit concerned that all have been improperly cleaned ... if that's true the value drops closer to the bullion melt value ... you should have a repudible dealer take a look to determine that. Once again these might be more cool conversation piece coins.
Thank you for the reply. Could you give me some advise on soaking the IHC? How long, etc. Thank you. As far as the Roosie, it is graded PCGS MS66. It was bought off of ebay for just a little over melt value and the pictures they had showed no toning at all (the pics they used make mine look like professional photos! haha) I can try to use some different lighting to get better pictures of the gold coins. I agree that they look to have been cleaned, but I didn't know for sure. I am not worried, because I paid under melt for both pieces I was just hoping they would hold some additional numismatic value.
first off make sure its 100% pure acetone (you can buy it on ebay) and not fingernail polish remover, which is only mostly acetone. Search the coin talk thread on proper proceedures to soak .... there have been a few GREAT threads (use the search box to search on ACETONE) If the Roosie is really pretty ... it might be interesting to send it into PCGS to be TRUE VIEW PHOTOGRAPHED ... they can REALLY bring out the color and toning in coins ... right now PCGS is runnign a special where TrueView photos are only $10 (normally $20) the special runs through the end of march ... you would also have to pay $10 to have the coin reslabbed since the coin is photographed out of the holder ... not sure if you have $20 spare to do this ... but would give the best shot at a monster photo that could really help the final sales price if you wanted to sell it great deal on getting the gold at or under melt
I'm not sure if I can tell from the photos but 1864 IHC has three varieties. The cupro-nickel, bronze, and bronze L variety. The bronze version would be worth the least, followed by the cupro-nickel, with the L-variety bronze worth the most (I think).
Awesome info on the True View deal. I will definitely look into doing that. If they re-slab the coin, is there any chance that they would change the grade, or is it strictly just re holdering after photos? I would hate to do that and it come back a lower grade! I run a pawnshop so I have the opportunity to purchase any gold bullion and/or coins at or under melt value. I was just hoping that the $5 Liberty would be worth some extra from a numismatic standpoint.
That was another question I had regarding this IHC. How to tell the differences and to identify which variety mine is would be great.
It is easy to tell the cupro nickel from the bronze coins. The cupro nickel will weight more and has a slightly different color. In great condition, a new one will weight 4.67-grams vs 3.11-grams for the bronze coin. The L-variety bronze coin is a little more difficult to tell the difference. The L stands for the coin designer, James B. Longacre. He placed his L initial to the right of Lady Liberty's hair near the neck. It is difficult to see unless you use a magnifying glass.
the $10 reholdering would simply put the same grade back on the coin (no change) If you had the coin "Re-Graded" the fee is higher (I think $30???, not sure) and the coin could end up with the same grade or HIGHER grade ... it will not go lower on a regrade.
The coin will not even go to the "grading room". Your grade is safe. They'll crack it out, photograph it and reslab it.
