Possible St Gaudens Double Eagle Purchase

I recently came across this coin and have not been able to get it out of my mind. As you can see from the pictures, it is in an NGC fatty holder. I am positive if a coin could jump a grade or even 2, that this would be one of them.

I would really like an unbiased group opinion. Even on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", the majority of the 'poll the audience' lifeline is correct. What do you think this would grade today?

I appreciate it.

 

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Given how many hits are generally allowed on gold, I wouldn't be surprised with an MS65 grade on that. Hard to tell from the quality of those images what might be hiding, though I don't see any huge distractions.

I generally don't collect gold because (among other reasons) most of it is beat up, even stuff graded as high as MS65 often looks horrible IMO.

 

I agree with MS65...nice coin.

 

I do apologize about the pics. Best I could do with my phone in the backroom of a dealers store without flat out telling him "yeah bud, I am gonna post these real quick to my friendly lunatic coin collecting community to reinforce the idea that I can buy this from you at +$50 melt and flip it as a numismatic gem".

I just called him and told him to hold it to me for tomorrow morning, and if gold jumps tonight, I will pay the difference. I will post better pics when it is in hand and I can molest it in the privacy of my own home.

 

MS65/MS65+

 

MS65 just barely....

 

Based on what I have seen of these large gold pieces, that coin is at least MS64, and I think it would fit in with the MS65s I have seen pretty easily. Now, all of that assuming there aren't any big problems going unnoticed with these back-room pics.

Congrats on your pick-up.

 

Love the old ANACS grading style by listing both sides Dougmeister. The funny thing is, when he handed me the ngc box of coins to look at, when I pulled this one out, I saw the reverse first. My first thought was, "this one is going to come at a premium" because the reverse looked 65-66 to me at first glance. Then I flipped it over, and saw the grade, I had to conceal my excitement. Granted it is a common date, but if it grades at a 64 or 65, it is an easy flip for me.

 

You make it sound so seedy. Which would make you 100% accurate.

 

You're right about both. The hit on the Eagles feathers is the most dramatic of its faults, but in all honesty, I think my cameras contrast is adding to that. Once I scoop it manana I will get some worthy pics up to do it some justice. Out of curiosity, what would you grade each side, I would value your opinion; and I will take it with a grain of salt on account of the pic quality.

 

IMO...a high end 64 coin.

 

You should buy that coin.

 

well, gold went up ...

 

MS64, and if you can buy it at $50 over melt, what do you have to lose?

 

I'm in the 64 camp

 

The one necessary ingredient that is also difficult to judge by a photo is a coin's luster. Even mark free, well struck coins miss a gem grade because they lack "flash".

 

Here I agree with David, luster is essential for a gem grading