GTG: You vs The Seller

I bought this today. It's not graded by any TPG but I would still like to do a GTG, the seller put a grade on it.

 

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Kinda hard for me from the pic's, but gonna guess 63

 

Seller....'65. Me.....'63.

 

I'll go seller said MS64 toned - Looks like MS60 RB? 20$ area!

 

Clearly AU. No question about it.

The seller would have probably said 55 or 58, but I like it better at 53.

 

I don't see any obvious wear just "slightly" blurry pics.

 

Yes, the pics are blurry, which doesn't help of course. I don't see significant flattening, which is why I give a 53 grade (and the seller probably gave a 55 or 58.). However, there is significant discoloration on the high points. This is a key indicator of wear (especially in low quality pics, like these). There also appears to be a break in the luster on the high points (an in hand evaluation would confirm this, of course). The high points are the cheek and jaw bone, and the bottom of the jacket on the obverse, and the ONE CENT on the reverse. Notice how they look less shiny than the surrounding areas?

The other key indicator is the lack of luster in the large open areas of the fields. The areas around the devices are protected, and thus show glowing luster. But in the open areas, there has been a trace of wear from circulation. The ridges and valleys that create luster have begun to wear away, and will thus not display the glowing luster that other parts do. When trying to decide between low grade UNC and a high grade AU, this is a really important point that is often overlooked.

For more information, and a significantly deeper discussion of these factors, take a look at my book, linked in my signature below.

 

Here are some photos I took at an angle with poorer lighting

 

Those new pics are much more in focus. A couple of other things jump out at me in the new pics, which alter my opinion, but I'll see if anyone else notices them before I mention them.

 

64 rb

 

I bought it. Guess I should re-read it. Your argument is compelling.......

 

When I collected (still - have 6 to go) Walkers the sellers gave their coins VG-F when the actuall coin was just good at the most - so I do think sellers of non slabbed coins way over rate the condition just to sell to the uninformed collector!

 

Sorry - new pics do show an AU

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All the spots are going to hold it back. I'm at 50 or 53.

 

It that coin real? I cannot point to anything spoecific, but it just does not look right to me.

 

No one got close, I will agree with around an AU-55 based on what everyone said. The dealer wrote VF-20 on the case, a little undergraded.

I paid $5

 

On this particular 1909 on going to say grade of ms 63bn or ms 64 brown

 

Great - a buyer finally takes advantage of a seller!!

 

VF? Haha, that's not even close!

However, I do see a bunch of green spots that you need to take care of. Look around the date, the left obverse rim, and reverse above ONE. These spots are active, and will damage the coin if not conserved.