I know a coin is graded as a whole, but based on this pics, tell me if you agree or disagree with my opinions. Thank you. 1958p ~ XF40 1958d ~ AU50
Well, you are in the right territory. However, you pictures are so fuzzy, that (and that you are probably not overgrading) is about all I can say.
Thanks Rim. The coins are in 2x2s. The reason I'm asking for opinions, besides the fact of learning, is that Im having issues determining the grade of the coin in the holder at shows. Maybe because I'm new and excited but for some reason, the coins look better to me in the holder. My first real purchase was a 1922d a few months ago. I thought it would grade around a VF35, then I posted it here, the group as a whole felt it was more around a VF20. After seeing a few more coins and comparing pics, I also agreed I overheated it. But once back in the holder, it looked much better me. Maybe some glare from the plastic smoothed out the coin a bit? I don't know. But ive become concern that I was so far off. That coin I paid $22 for and still feel it was a fair price, but I would hate to be 15 points off on a 14d or something lol. That would hurt. Thanks again
1957d ~ XF45 ? I feel the cheek, jaw, wheat stalks and fields say AU, but because of the wear on the ear/hair/bow tie and the nicks on the face and the lettering on the reverse, this kicks it down a grade.
You might be right, but I think it would go AU. But with all that glare where I am trying to see, that would be far from assured.
That area above the ear is a mess compared to the rest of the coin. A lot of what you see in that area isn't hair detail, but deep nicks. I have BU 57Ds and the ears do have more meat on them compared to this coin. I gonna need to bite the bullet and buy a proper camera if I wanna do this properly. Even with this phone having a 8mp camera, the autofocus is terrible.
I don't think it is your focus. Try playing with the lighting. You might also try backing your camera up a bit. Your pictures are way larger than they need be.
Also, is there a page/link online that talks about master die changes between years? I know there was a change between 1968 and 1969 but I'm not sure exactly the other years or the durations of the change. To me, the last 1930s were the nicest cents. That's my opinion based upon coins in hand and I'm not sure if its based on changes or the quality of coins I have. I'm also aware that certain years die sets were over used so sometimes I don't know if I have a coin that was struck with worn dies or if the details were simply not there in the first place.
Thanks. I never thought that I may have been too close. To be honest, I do have the camera so close that its been a fight between the lighting and camera all the time lol. Thanks, ill try that.
1922d ~ VF20 I feel this coin has VF30 details with full desperated wheat lines, jaw, bowtie and ear. But the cheek, hair and what appears to be a greased A in AMERICA, would grade this coin a VF20.
Let me ask a dumb question. Is your lens clean? BTW, I would go 25/30 for that 22-D. You need to learn on other dates. Their strikes are all over the place, but mostly weak.
Yes, the lens is clean. The reverse pic is clearer than the obverse, right? Its the autofocus. I have to keep putting my finger in front of the camera to get it to refocus. Its horrible lol. Btw, I did ask in a comment about master die changes a few comments up. If you have some links about that, I would really appreciate it.
1909 vdb ~ VF35 Poor Abe's head is a disaster with nicks, but the wear says VF35. The wheats are full but with that major dink on the rim, I would expect to get more than VF20 value for it. Sound about right?
1974p ~ AU55? I juuuust plucked this out of the bucket. I having a harder time with memorials compared to wheats because I have BU rolls of memorial and most have the bottom steps "worn", so I'm not sure if that's a common wear point for the die or an common point for PMD.
