The "messed up" Coin thread..... Post yours also.....

A scarce 1840-O WB-6. I had to have it.

 

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Now, that's impressive!

 

Here's perhaps my most messed-up coin from my messed-up collection. It's an 1874-S WB-5, which is an R7 die marriage. I had passed or missed on two others, so I felt I had to grab this one. It can be identified by the mintmark and arrow positions. The coin is as bright as a polished chrome bumper, and I even paid $70 for it. I should have it slabbed but I doubt any TPG will be able to attribute it unless I give detailed instructions on what to look for. It's a great example for showing how useful the arrow positions can be in determining 74-S die marriages. I also have its cousin, the WB-2 in Fair-2 and AG3 for comparing arrow positions between Obverse 1 (WB-1 and WB-5) and Obverse 2 (WB-2) in low grades when other diagnostics have been worn off the obverse.

WB-5 (R7) - right arrow below the tops of the digits, left arrow shaft well below the serif of the "1"


This is the seller's "glamour shot" to create the impression the coin has some toning...Nope!


Here's my new WB-5 that I was directed to by another 74-S DM collector. Here the right arrow is clearly lower than the top of the digits, and other diagnostics for Obverse 1 are visible. I'm going to submit it for grading and attribution (fingers crossed) at FUN on Thursday. It's looks like it has been dipped but has retoned nicely and shows no hairlines from cleaning. I'm just thankful to have a decent example now for slabbing.



Here's a PCGS AG3 WB-2 (R5) - right arrow level with or slightly higher than the tops of the digits. Left arrow high enough that if pushed to the right, it would bump into the serif of the "1."



Here's a Fair-2 WB-2 - see how the arrows are higher relative to the digits



Sorry for being a bit long and wandering off topic, but at least I posted three very low-grade coins, including one absolutely horrible coin. There was a reason for that absurd purchase above - it serves as an extreme example for illustrating something I'm planning on writing for the Gobrecht Journal or Dennis Fortier's new Seated Half Society Journal.

 

Here's another gem from my collection - a plugged 1855/54 WB-1. I couldn't resist this WB-1 because of its conspicuous overdate, even though it is a later die state. It cost $26 off eBay.


And between my two posts is a Heritage ad featuring amazing gem-quality coins in an upcoming auction. Quite the contrast.