I recently bought this coin raw and I submitted it to NGC today. Wanna take a guess as to whether it will grade? If so, what grade? I'll let you know what happens - should know in about three weeks. I realize the photos don't show the color very well. It is a lovely, mellow gold color (similar to eagle that's my icon pic) - not shiny, but nice deep shades with variation that shows up some in the pictures. Also - you can't see the rim in the holder it's in, but it looks pretty good to me, no major rim dings or signs of jewelry mounting that I can identify. So..... Duk
The color and overall look of that coin are going to be everything when it comes to whether it will grade or not. And that you can't tell from those pictures. If the coin actually looked like those pics I'd have to say no grade, either harshly cleaned or altered surfaces. As for the amount of detail, I'd say the coin has VF20 detail (ANA standards).
Thanks, we'll see. To me, the overall look is good, which is why I figured it was worth the cost of submitting - not much to lose and lots to gain if it grades. This is an issue that PCGS estimates a total surviving population of about 80! Here's a picture with better color - it's not actually as shiny as in this picture. Much more flat looking, but the shade is close. I'm thinking if it does grade, probably something in VF - but it is a year where the strike is generally quite weak to begin with. I've got to find a better way to take pictures of small coins! Duk
Well the color sure looks a lot better. Unfortunately that new pic also shows that the coin has definitely been harshly cleaned. If they deem it genuine they'll slab it in a Details slab, but they won't grade it.
Here's some additional pics. Maybe I won't bother to send it in after all. However, I wonder about the picture problem. The small scratches you see in some of the pictures taken in bright light - that don't show up in lesser light - also do not show the same way when you look at it with magnification. Even looking at it with magnification it appears to be much more uniform than in some of the pictures.
While it is possible for a picture to not show you some things that are on the coin. It is not possible for the picture to show something that is not on the coin. What I am saying is the scratches are there on the coin. And I have no doubt that the TPGs would call that coin harshly cleaned.
There will doubtless be many differing opinions on how to handle this particular case in order to plant a fair value in the mind of prospective buyers, as this is a classic example of a coin that should be value-graded. Because the coin has definitely been cleaned, and is a very strong VF / nearly an XF coin, I think you'll receive it back in an XF Details holder. That way it would most likely receive offers commensurate with a VF20 graded coin. If the coin had not been cleaned, I would grade it VF35, but not XF.
Interesting, I appreciate your take on it, as that's about the way I would assign value to it as a raw coin - VF20. Given that, my thinking is changing about submitting it - I had it all set to go, but other than the outside chance it would grade - and it sounds like it's a pretty far outside chance, there's probably very little chance of enhancing it's value. It is an interesting piece to have because so few still exist. I would love to get confirmation of its grade status, but it would cost about $60 in fees and shipping. Given it's value at VF levels, I think I'll hold off for now.
