The sharpness grade is VF-25. I think it might have been cleaned, but that might just be the photography.
Fine-12 would be EAC grading with a reduction for the whatever the stuff is around the bow on the wreath and in the “U” in “UNITED.”
The EAC collectors have a different system. Don’t think that their grading system will give you bargains. Their prices run way ahead of catalogs for the given grades. If you think I’m tough, you can look at Bill Noyers, who published a series of books with pictures and his grades on the finest known early large cent (1893 - 1814) Sheldon varieties. For example I have an 1802 large cent in PCGS MS-63, Brown CAC. His grade for it is AU-55! In recent years the systems have kind of merged as the new generations of EAC collectors have accepted slabbing. Now auction houses like Heritage show the slab grade and their EAC grade. In the Winter FUN sale there was a Chain Cent that was graded EF-40. Heritage said the EAC the EAC grade was VF-35. The coin big marks on the face of Ms. Liberty. My net EAC grade was VF-25. The coin sold for less than an EF-40 usually brings.
Yep. You've got a pretty good eye for picking out wholesomely circulated large cents. I've bought a few from you, as I recall. Sure, that one has some minor gunky deposits, but they fall within acceptable range to my way of thinking. I wonder what a wooden toothpick and a light Vaseline rub would do by way of alleviating that. Like @johnmilton, I wonder if it is cleaned, based on the color, but I can't say for sure, and again, it falls within acceptable range for me. At least as an album coin. I wouldn't submit it to a TPG, obviously. Too expensive.
Yes you have bought a few over the years. This seller had several large cents for sale at the same time. All of the coins pictured had the same look so I suspect the lighting made them look lighter than they will in hand.
Does anything think that you are going to buy this 1802 large cent from a person who knows what they are doing for AU-55 money? PCGS graded MS-63, Brown and CAC approved it.
Beautiful coin. I think any coin EAC grades AU 55 would be MS something by PCGS or NGC. I have sent many large cents to Bob Grellman that he graded using EAC standards. There is no way he would give the 1850 coin a net F-12. 20 or 25 maybe but I have not seen any deductions for crud in devices.
Yes, my eyes have been great for coins, with respect to grading and eye appeal. I have also had over 65 years of experience and have learned a lot from books, study and "the school of hard knocks."
not questioning your knowledge and experience. You have an awesome collection that has taken decades to assemble. I like coins but I like stocks better. Have been conservative in the amount of money I spend on coins. I have bought hundreds of large cents over the years and generally have a good idea of what to pay for them if I am going to resell. Paid $34 for the coin in question so I think I am ok.
