Okay, so here goes my perplexity at the world of coin grading. Several months ago I posted pics of a 1924S Indian/Buffalo nickel. Opinions varied greatly, though many thought it may not be authentic. For a refresher here's the original post link. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/be...y-wife-the-non-collector.302551/#post-2848063 Now comes the killer. I sent the coin into NGC for grading along with the Indian head cent that's in my profile (1908s). Well the grades have come back and while I prepared my wife for the body bag, here's the shocker. 1908s Indian Head Cent - AU Details Altered Color (ARGH!!!, I thought it was an Alloy issue). 1924S Indian/Bison Nicker - XF 45 I am stunned...to tell you the truth, I actually don't even have words. The Indian Head has amazing eye appeal and I was thinking MS 62 plus...where the nickel I was leaning toward the group that the S was suspect.....shows what I know..back to the drawing board of what the heck I think about graded coins. Looks like I overpaid for the 08s and with the 24s coming from most likely change at Dunkin Donuts...well that is the deal of the century! Will add pics of my 08s...I guess I should have posted that for you folks before I submitted it...now I get a details holder for my effort and expense!
I like the story, but please tell me you meant NGC rather than NGS. The story is better if you missed that letter. NGC is a marketplace leader. NGS has been used several times over the years to confuse people.
I agree with @V. Kurt Bellman above. If it went to NGC SCORE!!! If not, maybe crack and submit to NGC. If it comes back as even authentic, you did great.
Sorry NGC...I would only go to them or PCGS. I'm too flustered after seeing the results...Just blown away. I prepped her for a body bag or a details grade with the scratch and instead, I got the details on my coin! I thought hers was a low VF at best!
So....I read the title as you found your wife in circulation..... You should probably not tell her that
I think your cent might be BOTH altered color AND an alloy issue. Maybe someone wanted to “help the look” a little.
I agree with both replies... Looking at the reverse I can see mottled color and alloy differences. And my wife qualifies as my best circulation find ever!
Of course that’s right! Think of the eww factor of the alternative - she was in plastic as part of a set. I think they’re laws about that stuff.
What a find and congrats on the grade result. Now what?! Look at your change folks. Anything can happen.
Super cool! The IHC looks fine to me, cart it over to PCGS. The only odd thing I see is the left of the wreath appears to be a different color from the right. Is that your light? PS - I like coins like this. I've "window sill method" toned down body bag coins, resubmitted them and received grades.
I agree, I really fell for the IHC particularly because of the color and alloy mix that complemented everything. I may very well take that advice and "window sill the coin for a later journey". I do now know the details grade letdown I've heard of. I was really happy about the coin my wife found, but bummed out big time about mine! Even I didn't believe that a coin like that would come up in change....I was almost certain it had an altered mint mark or would at best get a low VF. I don't know my bison's at all, so maybe San Fran had really weak strikes that year like they did for Lincolns, hence the VF 45. Thanks everyone for the kind words...I definitely look at my change every time now. unbelievable!
To put both phrases together, "San Fran" and "weak strike", is to engage in redundancy. They seem to have hit home runs on early Morgan dollars and then proceeded to forget everything they had ever learned there. Cents, buff nicks, Walking Lib halves, all of it.
When I get my coins back I'm going try to post a few good pics of the IHC. I'd be interested to hear opinions on why the coin got the altered color designation. I really thought it was a beautiful coin with nice natural toning and alloy streaks. And considering the challenges I've had with putting together sharp strikes from San Francisco Lincoln's (early 20s especially). I should have guessed that other denominations suffered the same fate.
