Hi, I have an 1874 Liberty Head $10 gold coin that I am considering selling and I wanted some advice/opinions on the whole process of selling it. The coin is completely original, uncleaned, and I believe it is a Philadelphia mint. What grade is it? What is this coin worth and would cleaning it and grading it increase it's value? I have been told that cleaning a coin decreases it's value. But cleaning the coin would increase its "eye appeal", which would increase the grade, which would increase its value. So I'm confused about all this. I would appreciate all advice and opinions on it and the process of selling it. Thanks to all, 1874 ---
Welcome to CT. Cleaning does not increase "eye appeal," and does not increase grade. It is universally considered damage, and drastically reduces both interest and value in the coin. Originality/preservation is key in numismatics. Cleaning the coin would only make it look "better" to the uninformed. Whose ranks we are in the process of pulling you from. This issue is not a particularly common one, and it carries a numismatic premium even into circulated grades. I see a little circulation on yours, and would estimate the grade to be in the EF45-AU50 range. As such, its' value - if authenticated and encapsulated by a reputable third-party grader - would be around $800 at retail.
Do NOT clean it, what ever you do. I would either sell it raw, or possibly get it graded. You MIGHT not get your money back if you grade it though (cost of grading vs increased value of coin). If I were you, I would be happy with anything over $700. I just got a graded AU55 $10 for $650, and have actually gotten MS for less recently.
OP, no offense intended, but if you do not know if you should clean it or not and do not have an idea of its grade, there is no way of knowing that it is "completely original". That is one of the hardest things to state about a coin. You may not have cleaned it, but others could have. One would have to see it in hand in order to really know that. Having said that, I agree on a XF grade. To maximize resale you will probably have to invest $50 and get it graded by NGC or PCGS.
Hi, OK, great advice. Thank you. It is true that I do not know much about the coin. So I can't say for sure that it has never been cleaned. It was given to me by my grandmother 25 years ago and then stuffed in storage and forgotten. I only came across it a few months ago. I do have a question about the grade though. I went onto the PCGS website and looked at some of the 1874s for sale and as far as surface inclusions go and the amount of wear, my coin seemed to be equal to those at a high AU or low MS grade. The only thing that differed was how shiny the coin was. So what makes those coins MS grade and mine a high EF or low AU grade? I must admit, if I thought I could get thousands for the coin then I might consider selling it but if it is only worth ~$700 or so, I think I may just keep it. I value the historical aspect more then a few hundred dollars! Thanks again for all the helpful expertise. 1874 ---
Contact marks are not the major grade determinant. Its amount of wear. The more wear it shows, the lower its circulated grade. If it has no wear, THEN its uncirculated and THEN the amount of contact marks matter. Having said that, I could see maybe AU50 as the grade. Look at the hair above her ear. It looks worn. Like we said, getting it slabbed would then give you a really good idea of its worth. Plus, if you are not a coin collector, it will give it a really good protective case so it does not get damaged.
To me it's a baggy au. 50-53 on a good day. Probably 50 due to the contact marks has a bit of luster and a bit of toning. A better date tho not one with a big premium unless high grade. My call $600 wholesale $700 retail PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN IT It to many would be worth melt. And it would not increase the grade but lower it to a details grade
My quote about wholesale is the likely wholesale price a dealer is likely to give you is around $600 I don't have my greysheets here so I can't figure it exactly. A cleaned circulated common date gold coin sells for melt usually
If you reread what you said, you'll see my point... no CDN necessary. Let's just say that any dealer who would give $600 in its present condition, but melt after cleaned, isn't worth anyone's while.
