I have learned a lot from posting coins for you all to comment on - even wound up with a couple of fresh CAC stickers (which I like) as a result. Here's two coins of the same issue, same TPG, same grade - but really different. I'm interested in opinions, critiques or whatever regarding the condition of each of these, individually and in comparison to one another. This is primarily for my edification. I don't own either one of them, and I'm am unlikely to, but we'll see. They are both 1840 half dollars, reverse of 39, NGC AU55. Thanks much in advance for your comments!
This used to be my US specialty. Honestly, I am not a fan of either, believing both to be cleaned and retoned.
Agreed not really a fan of either. Between the two more people would probably like 1 than that splotchy toning, but if the first one is as lifeless as it looks in the photo that's a tough sell as a 55
Both have been cleaned. There is virtually no luster, which is opposite of what I would expect for an AU-55 coin.
Both old cleanings the first has dead surfaces. The second a lot of hairlines and marks in the fields. As well as unappealing toning. I'd pass on both
No, its dark but still glossy. Its when dark toning goes matte that its bordering on corrosion. Overall I like the lower one more due to much more luster remaining. If I had to own one I would own that one and hope the shiny silver toned down with time. The first one was simply dipped once or twice too many times. No luster.
First one: dipped and stripped... Completely void of originality and character Second one: Old dip or cleaning and since retoned. Can't tell from pic if the toning is natural or of a more artful nature. Personally, I don't like either one, but if I had to choose, I'd take #2. 'dude
Ok, I asked for comments for my own edification and I got them! Excellent. Pretty much what I was thinking. So....... how about this one?
The last one looks to me like an AU58, but probably graded MS. Old dip, not overdone, and album retoned. Perfectly acceptable.
Logic dictates surfaces that nice, and toning so subtle, mean it's almost certainly not original. All the same, I'd still fight you for it. Love the lathe lines on the obverse.
It's X Colonel Green and Eric P Newman. So if it's ever been dipped it would certainly be prior to 1936. Yep I would fight you for it . One of the prettiest coins I've ever seen in pictures, I'm hoping to see it in person very soon. It is MS 62 with CAC. An uncommon, common coin. If there is such a thing. Yeah I like those die polishing marks on the obverse also ( I assume that's what they are).
That coin sold for $2200 during the Newman auction, and again for right at $2k a year ago. Between the appearance and pedigree, yeah, I'd throw $2k at it. The blanks dies are created from - before the hubbing process - are milled into a conical shape to aid the hubbing. That's when these "lathe lines" are created. Normally between hubbing and finishing, they disappear, but this is one die which apparently retained some. You can see them somewhat commonly on Modern Lincolns, and less-commonly on other issues.
The first coin... Eh, still better than most of the Stack's W 57th St Hoard, but I'd pay an extra $30-$40 for a better coin of the same grade. The second coin should have never made it into a straight grade slab.
