This coin was brought to my attention by @micbraun (thanks again!). It's a beauty of a strike! However, the seller does not agree with either PCGS or CAC. How would you grade this token? Edit: Here are PCGS TrueView photos: http://www.pcgs.com/cert/80813797 It is in a PCGS Secure holder as well.
These are tough to grade but I'd say MS-63. Since they are known for heavy circulation and even though this shows wear, it's minimal for the series. That reverse rim ding at 12:00 holds it back from a higher grade in my opinion.
Thanks for the input. FWIW, it has a Green CAC sticker ("solid for the grade"). I'll post the given grade if a few more people post their opinions.
I could see it either at AU58 or MS62/63. The differentiation from images is often impossible without viewing in hand. I voted AU58 conservatively since we're looking at pictures here, not the actual token.
Here are PCGS TrueView photos: http://www.pcgs.com/cert/80813797 It is in a PCGS Secure holder as well.
I'll go with AU-58. I think I can see slight wear on the body feathers, which precludes a mint state grade.
I could easily see either 58 or 63. Without any apparent wear on the denticles, I would be on the 63 side.
I don't disagree with the grade, because darn near anything is possible with these in terms of strike and apparent wear. Outstanding coin. Only the cut through the 8 distracts. Has the seller decided it's Mint State, and priced accordingly?
PCGS graded it AU58 and CAC gave it a green sticker. @SuperDave, he has it priced at $500 which is, I believe, MS money?
that price seems high to me. I have a MS64 piece I would consider selling for that price range. PM me. Here is that coin.
That's "PCGS MS63/CAC plus a nice dinner to celebrate afterward" money. Even if we stipulate that the coin you present is Mint State - not at all out of the question - I feel the line through the 8 a sufficient distraction to take a pass. This is 5H, not uncommon so there's no rarity bonus. At $300 I'd probably be a buyer, but between PCGS and CAC you'd expect they'd have at least one person who knew these well enough to make an informed decision between circulated/Mint State, y'know?
These are tough to grade because the strikes were so inconsistant and German silver is such an odd metal to coin anyways. In this case, there is some wear, particularly on the feathers of body, which is unfortunate, because this one looks quite well struck. I'm definitely in the choice AU camp. I agree with Dave's attribution of 5-H, which is one of the most common die pairings (R-2), so $500 is a bit steep. For that money, a decently struck MS coin can be had. Several well known token sellers have them right now on eBay for that price.
