1871 Indian head cent

I have the option to buy this coin. I know my photography skills aren't the best and the rule is to take the coin out of the flip but that currently is not possible. I know it has been in this 2x2 since 1980. Just wanting opinions on grade and/or if it would details grade. I'm not used to putting this much money into small cents. Thank you.

 

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Not my thing but I would say Fine for sure, maybe as high as XF. It could be the plastic from the flip but it looks like an improper alloy mix to me. Less than 4 million minted so is considered a low mintage coin and it better condition as they were heavily circulated. A G-4 can be found for under $100.00 but an F-15 can get up to $300.00. I would not say this is an unc. as written on the label but I think the price is fair given the mintage, rarity and condition of the coin. I'd make a lower but reasonable offer but I'd still be willing to pay the asking price to add to my collection, even thought I do not collect Indian Head Cents.

 

Fine?

I don't think that coin (if genuine, I'll let some IHC specialists determine that - but it looks okay to me at first glance) is anywhere close to being as low as a Fine. It's more like an AU to me. It looks like the PVC from the flip has gotten all over it (will need conservation) and maybe that's clouding the luster underneath. (Just to be clear @Collecting Nut - I'm not picking on you at all, but that coin has WAY too much detail to be a F.)

Here is a screenshot from the PCGS Photograde site for a F-15:



I'd be more wary of the fact that someone is selling an AU/MS (hey, it just might make MS with proper conservation, can't tell from the photos provided - with plastic and contamination covering up the coin) 1871 IHC for only $250 (that's VF prices) when Numismedia FMV for an AU is over $500. As soon as you get to XF it's a $400 coin. That, to me, would make me take a really close look at the coin in hand to determine signs of cleaning, pitting, etc...that would Details the coin.

If it's genuine, and hasn't been harshly cleaned prior to getting stapled in that holder, I'd think it was an easy buy at $200-250. JMHO

 

It looks low EF to me.

 

In hand I was thinking mid AU as a minimum, maybe low MS but I wouldn't hold my breath. The price on it is what it was probably bought for 35 years ago. The gentleman that owns it wants to trade for it and what he wants will cost me between $225 and $275. So if it does straight grade XF or better I'll be in the plus. I think I'll give it a shot.

 

The plastic is so old, it's throwing my poor tired eyes off. Fine is my lowball. I'm more XF on it. 37 years of plastic tends to do that.

 

I would say AU, Look like a little wear on diamonds on ribbons, but its very hard to see in photos. There is also the bold and shallow "N" to consider and determine.
Got a small nick between the N and T ? The price seem resonable.

 

Your pictures are good but they could be sharper. It's EF to AU, from what I can see. There's wear on it.

 

Unless there is some hidden damage. It at least details in the Au range. I like it for the money.

 

Mid AU at least.

 

I would go with AU if selling, XF if buying if no undercover problem.

 

My only concern is between the N and the T, otherwise, it looks like a nice XF-AU to me. Woody as well. I'm not good at judging if a coin has been cleaned so take my input with a grain of salt.

 

Well, this story ended quickly. I looked at the coin a few more times and noticed a few small scratches, most importantly there was a V on the bottom of the reverse that looked bad enough in my opinion for a details grade. I actually found what the guy wanted in trade for only $200 and ironically ran into another gentleman that set up at the FUN that was on his way home and sold it to him for $390. If it wasn't for that one scratch I would have kept it.

 

Nice profit margin you got there

 

It's AU55. Can't see a scratch, but AU55 details, anyway.

 

If you look at the top right of E in one in the microscope photo you can see one of the minor scratches, the photos hid them well. I wish I would have taken a better photo of the bad scratch though.

 

I would say AU detail.

 

Au55 all day

 

I agree - AU range all day long.