hone your grading skills -- draped bust half cent

Please grade the following PCGS slabbed coin:






Shots showing the luster:






As always, your comments on the coin (both good and bad!) as well as how you arrived at the grade, are most appreciated.

Have fun...Mike

 

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Dang....

This has got to be one of them AU-62 BN's, very difficult to predict what PCGS says although technically, I feel it is au-55 with my limited experience.

A coin to drool over, no doubt

SWEET !!

 

Beautiful 1/2 Cent, AU-58...

Ben

 

Mike:
Well, since you mentioned the PCGS slab you automatically eliminated all of the "cleaned" postings, so I'm glad that we got past that part.
Personally, I don't see any wear, some weakly struck parts, so, I'll have to hazard a guess of MS-62.
Although it really looks like a corroded, cleaned, re-tooled AG-3.
(Just kidding).

 

Why is that? There are many cleaned coins in PCGS holders. Not saying anything one way or the other with respect to this coin, just saying....Mike

 

XF-40 details, cleaned

 

Ms-62

 

I have a question, being off center doesn't count against it as far as the grading goes?

John

 

I would say AU-55. I think that lower portion of the coin was weakly struck. Great looking coin.

Lou

 

Typically no, it doesn't effect grading.

However it may (and can) effect your opinion on the coin.

FWIW, being off-center it is very common on draped bust coins. In fact, a well-centered draped bust coin is not that easy to find.

 

AU53. Very nice.

It's clearly circulated, showing wear on her tresses on forehead and temple, as well as the cheek, shoulder, and drapery. Light wear on several leaves (wreath's lower right, upper left). Good detail on some leaves, though.

Mostly good strike, except weak on STATES. Very weak denticles at TED of UNITED.

As nice a planchet as one could imagine. Super ! Bump / ding free, except for that one minor blemish behind her ribbon.

The only concern I have is the color. I've not seen that shade of purple / lilac / lavender on old copper. Is it possible it was cleaned long ago and is retoning ?

Probably get stronger money than most AU's.

 

A very stunning coin indeed! I'll say XF45, but could be way off on this one. It's throwing me.

Oh, and I really like the color of it!

 

Sorry, let me clarify:
Should not be harshly cleaned.
Should look/appear original/natural.
Should be a nice coin.

 

I'm not an expert in Coppers but to me this doesn't look cleaned.

I'd give it a BU 50+

Incredable find!

Ruben

 

Although the coin has been " conserved " ( cleaned ) at some point in the past and seems to have been circulated as well , it matters not when good money is involved at PCGS . I think the coin goes for MS61.

 

Looks like a weak and uneven strike in some areas, but a great looking coin. I would say MS61 BN. I like how the E in liberty looks really bold and on the reverse the bottom of "ES"/top two leaves of wreath are week. This is one nice coin and I do not think it has ever been cleaned.

 

I'd give it a xf-45.

 

Exactly what he said! Has to be one of the best!!! MS all the way.

 

I gotta say the suspense is killing me on this one !

The envelope please... and the PCGS grade is.... ???