while checking out my unc details collection to see if they are actually unc. i spotted this, at first thought scheeech scratches on the fore head. but anyway they aren't. and am wondering would you expect the grader at least mention it. color looks ok to me, in other words, i cant tell how its altered.
For several years now I have seen gold tone added to cents for enhancement and collectability. When the tone wears off due to circulation it looks similar to what that cent looks like. That was my first and only thought about it.
When NGC puts an Altered Color designation on the slab they're telling you the coin has been artificially toned, or as we sometimes forget, untoned. And with that one I'd have to say I agree. edit - I had intended to explain that a bit further but got distracted while posting it and forgot. In this I believe that was happened was the coin was dipped in an effort to restore original color. (and yes that can absolutely be done successfully) But, it didn't work out right in this case so they had to chemically tone the coin (as in darken it) in order to try and salvage what they were doing.
i get the jist of the color being altered, and accept it and do not really question it. the real question for me is not the color but why no mention of the die breaks, being there so noticeable, i guess their just nothing to worry about. seems to me being a coin graded for the auction they just saw the color and gave it a snap grade with no further exam. i will rethink my thoughts on die breaks being a thang.
Not qualified to comment on the coloring. But if those are indeed die breaks on the effigy, then they are not a cause for a details grading since die breaks are without question an "as minted" condition. Die breaks are not much of a "thang" with modern coins and I suppose for a common modern coin they might reduce the market grade since they impact general attractiveness. But they are huge for 18th and 19th century U.S. issues as they are a major identifier of die marriage, emission order and sometimes even the authenticity determination.
I'm a big fan of Morgans with obvious die breaks even if the VAM isn't considered a spectacular or special one. I may be in the minority though.
As a general rule, things like die cracks are not noted on the slab at all. We also have to remember there's only limited space on the slab for notations. For example, I have seen many examples of detail graded coins where there's 2 or 3 different things on the same coin that would warrant a detail grade, but only one of them is ever noted on the slab.
Die crack coins are interesting to some but others just don't care for them. Those that collect them might pay a bit extra for something with really bold cracks. Don't think I have ever seen a crack noted on a PCGS or NGC label.
They are usually classified as a variety where known die pairs can be recognized and traced for identification, although it may or may not be the main pick up point. Of course, that costs extra if even recognized by the TPG as a thing. Generally, there is at least a small premium, some are substantial.
thanks for all the replies and info. i will still enjoy finding die breaks, cracks, as they are fun to study and just look at. so far iv'e spent a few hours total looking under the microscope on this one coin. of all the ones iv'e found far (4), none are visible with the naked eye, as far as color i can see the alteredness, now, i think.
I am a collector of error coins. If the coin were mine, I would make a notation to the fact and leave it to my heirs to carry on. In other words, it's a keeper.
