WoW. 1857 Flying Eagle. Possible proof? Grade?

Everyone's comments are greatly appreciated. I also appreciate everyone keeping it civil.
My gut tells me there is enough controversy over this coin to not trust my gut. Everyone on both sides of the argument make some valid points.
I certainly could convince myself it's all good, because I want it to be, but that would be doing myself a dis-service.
So off to the local shop Monday just to get an opinion. I will obviously let everyone know what they say.

Maybe I should stick to nickels and Kennedy's.

For those who say "Why isn't in a slab to begin with?"...

There are plenty of quality coins that are not in slabs. Don't drink too much of the koolaid and assume something is nefarious just because it's raw.

-greg

 

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I have no idea what you are seeing. I have created overlays with other FE's, and everything matches perfectly.

I am certain at the very least that it is a genuine FE.

 

Look at the feather pattern on the head, the outline of the claw, among other things. I have nothing to gain or lose in this, but it is still a knock off.

 

Did you notice that they are different years?

 

I have had quite a bit of experiance with this coin & with counterfiets of this coin. I 100% disagree with your assesment that this is a counterfiet. It is altered but not counterfiet. What I assume you are seeing are the signs of this coin being altered & thats why it doesnt look right. The "19th century workmanship" is there ,but it has been polished or worn to a point where the feathers are not as crisp as the coin you posted to compare with.

 

AT & cleaned.

But, hey what do I know, I wear glasses.

 

if you would of bother to read the post he was comparing the color

 

What did you pay?

 

IMOO. I saw a beautiful FE Cent, but was distracted by thy oddness of the coin. The toning didn't seem right, though beautiful; the reverse seems to have a polished effect. As an Fe & IHC collector, I'd love to own this coin, details or not. Now, If the OP paid too much for an altered coin that cannot be graded by a TPG, then he deserves his money back if he wants his money back. I don't think that coin is a counterfeit, but, there' that possibility, although slight.

I'd send it in to Rick Snow, at Eagle Eye Rare Coins, in Tempe Arizona. He'll tell you for $4 if it's real or not. He will also slab it and give you an Eagle Eye PhotoSeal Card if it's worthy.That costs extra. Check out his website for some flamin' FE's and IHC's.

 

Hoping you hear good news on Monday. Also it wouldn't hurt to get multiple opinions from another knowledgable dealer or person.

 

Lots of good points made already, not much to add. I do see problems such as a mounded date and light lettering in states and lack of detail on the eagle claw and wreath all the while the feathers show no signs of weakness? The side by side comparisons make it look really weird. I can't put my finger on it. When I can't decide what the human impairment was caused by I like the word "processed". The toning was most likely part of the processing. Hanging onto the shred of hope that it might grade won't make up for the fact that it makes hair stand up on knowledgeable collectors. I wouldn't take a shot on this one my friend.

If sending it in to a TPG would take it past the allotted return policy time, I would skip that and just return it. Many of the people that have posted here are already B&Ms as well.

Matt

 

First impression: Wow, that's a beautiful cent.

After re-examining the pictures, I see pretty much what everyone else sees -- unnatural color (I'm with the AT crowd -- too wild/non-smooth toning -- especially for a C-N cent), and possible polishing. I don't quite see any cartwheel luster (though a pic to prove me wrong would be greatly appreciated ).

The biggest issue I saw with the coin is the uneven luster/shine. The eagle's luster looks superb, but the fields on the coin (especially on the obverse) look uneven. Maybe it's just my eyes, but there seems to be cloudiness below and above the eagle, while there's stronger, deeper luster in front of and behind the eagle. The cloudiness makes me worried that it's been cleaned/polished before (making the surfaces more sensitive and prone to clouding) -- but hey, that's just my conjecture, a day late no less

-CB

 

It is a cheap knockoff. Not even a good one.

 

Really? The feather design on the head, neck, legs and eyes match? And the eye does as well?

Hmm

 

This is most definitely a genuine coin.

 

Your right. I changed my mind

 

can't wait to see what the dealer says.

 

I haven't read the other posts, but this coin has been polished. Now I will read the other posts.

 

If this is an attempt at a snarky reply you may want to study on what polishing,color balance & picture angles can do to a coin that may make it look like a "fake"

Your picture comparisons show me nothing more that a mint state example being compared with a polished & slightly worn authentic altered example.

 

IMO, this would receive a details grade - quest. color anywhere you would send it (except ICG).
Not a proof, but would be in the 65 range if it hadn't been altered.

If you look at this picture, there are some extremely light circular lines (like lathe lines) that might have been added during a polishing.
http://cdn3.sharemyco.in/shared_783d65779f556197f926a35d18209958825081f3c977476.jpg

A solvent might have been used, because it is definitely heavier than say, a jewelers cloth.