Since gold is nearing $750.00 (and has passed) an ounce I figured I'd post a picture of a (Raw) 1908 'No Motto' St Gaudens $20 dollar Gold Coin and ask how you'd grade it. Thanks for taking a look Ben
I am very interested in what people think. But I'm more interested in why they think it ! That's the best way to learn. If I may ask, leadfoot... what is it you don't like ? My personal concern is luster. It looks cleaned and unnatural. But a pretty good strike.
The photos are overexposed, which is generally a warning sign for me as it hides problems. The coins surfaces don't look natural -- they look "grainy", i.e. they look cleaned or otherwise improved. While I will stop short of using the "c" word, the rims look "too" wide, particularly the obverse. Could just be the photo, however, so an in-hand assessment would be necessary. For all I know, it could be in PCGS or NGC 64 plastic -- and it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Photographs, particularly overexposed photographs lit from below, can be deceiving. I would also wonder why this valuable coin isn't slabbed. All of the above is why I said "PASS" rather than assigning a grade. If forced, I would guess the coin is MS 63, plus 2 or minus 5 points. That's just me, and your mileage may vary...Mike
I appreciate you taking the time to take a look and comment, seriously. To put your mind at ease I can guarantee this coin is authentic and received an 'In-Hand' paper grade of MS-63 from Jack Meyer, owner of Silver Mountain Coins in Rapid City and President of the Black Hills Coin Club. It was purchased a couple of years ago from VCOINS (advised to do so by Byron Reed) for $580. Gold was a LOT cheaper then and coins like these had flooded the market. As far as it's market value goes... Well, it's going to be up to my grandkids after I'm gone. Yes, my photography is far from perfect, over exposure, etc., but all I have is a table lamp and a hand-held digital camera. As you know any times when photographing gold the smallest dings turn into the Grand Canyon. Much more than silver... Why isn't it slabbed, well I don't support of endorse any form of TPG Slabs. Yes, I still have a couple of slabbed coins, have purchased slabbed coins, and use Vise-grips to crack those baby's open sometimes. Especially the Draped/Capped Bust Half Dollars so the edge (1809) can be checked. Again, thanks for taking a look. Take Care Ben
I'm glad to hear your coin is authentic, and I appreciate the additional info! Please don't take my comments on the photographs as a critique of your efforts. Although it kind of came out that way, my intent was to simply indicate the particular characteristics of the photograph which made guessing a grade more difficult, and I apologize if my language offended you. Again, that wasn't my intent. Have a nice night...Mike
I can't really grade gold yet, so I won't even try. But, would the pic be the reason the color is uneven and blotchy looking ? If it is toning, it sure is random and odd to me. But once again, I'm no where near proficient on these coins. I have but one.
Chuckle, swing and a miss Doug. I simply changed the lampshade and light-bulb is all... Here is current picture of my photography setup and result.
Don't know what it could be. Other than letting it sit (for about a month) in our basement uncovered on an oak block of wood (which I think added some tone to it) I can't think what it could be. I've posted this coin here a couple of times, both before my stump experiment and after and the pictures never alerted anyone then??? Take Care Ben
Yeah I know, I just never said anything before. It's the surface of the coin, it looks all rough like it's covered with little bumps. I have no idea what could have ever caused it.
Well, the camera does allow me to really crank-up the resolution (which I like to do) to like 600+ pixels per inch. The I shrink the photo (w/I Photo) which compresses them further. Maybe that has something to do with it.
