Cherry picked this out of an auction lot. 1865 S possibly a WB 103 die pair 7 R5? Can anyone confirm? Give an estimate of grade? Just took a quick pic will get some better tomorrow. Debating sending off to PCGS. So much stuff going on on this coin...
It's really difficult to make out the grade as the surfaces seem dead to me. It could be the lighting, but if they are original I would guess XF-45 AU-50 just because of the lack of luster. With that part out of the way. That reverse is to die for!!! I would have snatched that up in a heart beat if I came across it at a show or an auction. All those retained cuds and die breaks are just gorgeous to my eyes.
awesome coin.... thats one for "cuds on coins" list, that'll get its own listing number as they only one listed so far.....
I think you'll get the coin back AU Details (Environmental Damage), but it's really the attribution that's important. Awesome find!
The reverse die breaks on this coin are amazing. I agree with everyone else saying AU details. I'm guessing your coin is probably worth $500. Interestingly, there is one in the Heritage archive that is an even later strike than yours (I'd guess no more than a few strikes after your coin). I would guess that the die completely failed shortly after this was struck: https://coins.ha.com/itm/seated-hal...3-3509.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515
Thanks guys, definitely agree on the opinions so far. It is a bit better in hand. Going to take better look tomorrow and try to get some better pics. Think the wear on the eagles beak is from the die deterioration, or actual wear? Couple die cracks going on on the obverse too, but they are nothing compared to the reverse. Physics, I think that was one of the ones I used to help ID my coin. I had to have the lot once I figured out what it was.
After some debate, and a closer look at the surfaces, which actually showed some life under whatever shmutz was layered on top, I decided to give this coin a quick bath. Take a look again. The obverse unfortunately has a scratch near the shield, but the fields by her knee are covered in ray like die lines. This is probably one of the most interesting coins I have owned.
Yeah. I was thinking au details possible old cleaning but that was gorgeous after. Just an acetone bath or more serious conservation? I think 58 is a bit strong but I’d call it a really nice 55. Benny that writes cracked shattered and terminal in Gobrecht Journal would love this one. If you get tired of it pm me
Phenomenal die failure on the rev. Looking at the obv, there appears to be rim damage at around 10, or am I seeing things? And was the bath acetone, dip, or bubble bath?
That does appear to be some sort of scrape @ksparrow ...and the bath was into some dip. Will post some pictures of her in the holder. Torn on whether I want to hold onto this or not. Really find the die issues fascinating.
