Ok CoinTalk community. Heres the deal, I feel this coin is undergraded and has a slight issue that can be corrected. I would like to solicit the fine folks here on their opinions of grade and what to do about the 'issue'. Now the biggest issue I have with this coin is the darn-near terminal black spot on the reverse between 12:00 and 1:00. Under magnification it looks as if it would come off with some dip, LOCALIZED to that spot only so as not to ruin the other 'good' toning by a full dip. I also think its in a small, innocuous location that if I remove it and mess up a little bit it would still be alright. I mean I dont think I can mess up dropping a toothpicks worth of dip on it and then rinsing with distilled water. The two-fold dilema comes about AFTER the coin has been properly conserved. Will it still holder at NGC in a problem-free slab, and thats why I want to hear you alls opinion about the grade. I would like to form a general idea of what the coin community thinks this coin should be graded, and if it is in fact already a problem free example. So if you would like to just guess the grade, thats fine, reply with a numeric number or TPG equivalent for whatever you think would warrant a details grade. If you have expertise or an opinion on 'conserving' this coin, please chime in, and also point out any issues you might be seeing with the coin. Thanks guys!
I'm no expert but I think it would go MS66 there seems to be a rub or something below We Trust in the field above the wing that kind of detracts because it shows up up in the toning and may not be seen in a white example. That being said I give way to the true experts on here for their opinions.
I wouldn't mess with it. The toning's not that appealing, but I'd think it'll grade as uncirculated in any case. As to where numerically in the MS range it'd land, PCGS might be more forgiving of the mottling than NGC.
The mottled overall toning is GORGEOUS in hand (very colorful and non-detracting), and I have yet to reveal another aspect of this particular coin that will effect the grade (and how you view the coin). Right now my main concerns are what should a realistic grade be for this coin, and should that ugly black spot at the 12:00-1:00 position be removed to bolster the grade and to conserve the coin. Once I reveal the other issue with this coin, the toning will make much more sense.
I think the white balance is off, but the coin definitely looks like it has already been dipped and now has secondary toning.
It's a proof like coin if that helps. Officially designated as such and quite reflective in hand. The coin is also that golden in hand. But I do also suspect a dip from that black spot on the reverse. I can't figure out what else may have tarnished that dark.
Ahhh...proof like coins can be very tough to image. Since it is designated as PL then it must have strongly reflective characteristics.
You should see my attempts at imaging this coin. I posted about it over in the 'I gambled on eBay' thread. GBroke took these for me though. Much better than anything I could have done. I mentioned the reflectiveness of the coin as I am certain some folks would look at the image and say it isn't so, but I liked this angle best for asking for a grade and what to do about that black spot. Any advice on what should be done about that spot?
Here's the grade. She came in at an MS-61 PL I see it as more of a 63, especially if I can get that spot off.
