1909 IHC - help me come up with a grade?

I’d say 64 if it doesn’t get qc detailed does have a bit of that ms 70 blue tint

 

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I paid $57 for this cent, so my feelings are well insulated from any criticism. I happen to like a sharp strike and toning so I am all set.

I really feel for the graders on this coin. It shows just how subtle the differences can be even on something that sounds clear-cut. Proof vs. Business strike; high-point wear vs. strike weakness; strange toning (from paper, an album, or a cabinet) vs. artificial toning; or MS or AU or Details.

I’d bet every coin has some tricky feature that requires a judgement call of a grade up or down. Or worse, a judgement call between MS65, 66, or 67 and dropping a coin all the way to Details.

 

It is not that the coin toned the way it did, it is the spots on the obv. They are terminal. So, if the surfaces are untouched I see it maxing out at about 64. If the surfaces have been messed with in any way. I say Details.

 

OK, that’s a good point. I think I should attack those with some VerdiCare to stabilize the coin where it is.

 

I’d let it alone. Just my personal opinion.

 

These tiny spots are not a concern IMO. The coin is best left alone save for a rinse in xylene or 100% isopropanol. Those by far the best solvents for color toned copper IMO.

I don't recommend using VC on color toned coins! It will affect the thin film interference - usually to the negative. I've accidentally ruined a few colorful toners in my life.

Remember, toning is a form of corrosion and corrosion is what VC removes.

 

You could say that....

 

As far as the OP - I am no expert on the series but...in my experience none of the TPG's will slab this type of toning (except maybe IGC*). Ruined by tricksters and their MS70 applications back in the day and today it's generally no longer TPG market acceptable.

Unfortunately, this is also a natural toning color for copper in contact with something that promoted the toning. The toning agent even lightly affected the reverse (gas diffusion, enclosed space) - likely due to a somewhat sealed environment. I would call this "storage toning" and call it market acceptable.

Personally, I find the coin very MA! YOU BOUGHT IT! My only concern is I didn't see any cartwheel spokes - I would expect them to rotate under your light. The luster seems very flat which is likely due to a lifetime of collector handling more so than circulation wear. Nonetheless, without that luster, I'm in the AU-58 camp.

*I say ICG because they seem to be the only reasonable TPG when it comes to toned coins. I attribute a lot of this to our very own @Insider and his understanding of toning. Common sense versus holding up a chart next to a coin to see if it conforms to "the standard". BAH, IGC gets these toners right IMHO.