Grade my Shield Nic, wouldcha?

Under a 10x loupe, I do not see any horizontal line wear. However, the upper middle leaves (second bunch) on the right side do not fully show the middle vine/stem (?) line which may indicate slight wear.

 

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AU- 55. Nice coin!

 

Then perhaps it is just the reflection of the light in the photgraph that I am seeing and interpreting as wear. It is always easier to judge the coin when it is in hand and under strong light and magnification. Based on what you said I would like to upgrade my opinion to:

AU-55 details scratched

 

If the scratches were not there on the shield and nicks on the rev, the coin would push an easy 64.

MS-62

Beautiful coin.
I have a soft spot for these.


Where's Mark ?

 

I suspect that this is simply an area of weak strike, very common on these coins in my experience...Mike

 

Why right here - I already posted my opinion. OH wait - you mean the other Mark with more knowledge than me.

Personally I think several people hit the nature of the coin already - to me the coins always look flat in pictures, even some of the proofs. Also weak strikes does account for the leaves because I see no wear what so ever. I can't say for sure about it being dipped causing the flatness - but to me it looks original and very nice. If I owned the coined it would be listed as MS details scratched - and it looks like the filled 2 variety. Just my own opinion.

 

AU details, damaged, net XF

At first glance, I thought it was MS. It looks like rub on the middle leaf, right side, 2nd bunch from the top. Possibly some rub on the shield lines near top immediately below the cross. It's possible both are only strike weakness and it really is MS, but I doubt it.

Nice champagne color.

 

Looks like some interesting strike doubling in the motto - "I" in IN, "O" in GOD, "W" in WE, and "TR" in TRUST. Or is it possible that's some recut letters ?! Cool die variety, perhaps ?

Quick ! Anybody got a cherrypicker's guide handy ?

 

Well - I do and I would not mind seeing a close up of the last 82. It could possible be a repunched date, but certainly not the 3/2 type from 1883. The motto is machine doubling which is common on shield nickels. I still think ms quality cause to me it just looks like weak strike, but without the coin in hand it is hard to be 100% sure.

 

Wow I agree looks AU-ish to me. Nice one!

 

Regarding the "2", it does appear "fat" or full. I will not be able to post another pic until next week (my camera is out on loan).

The motto does have lots of doubling which is really cool to me. Looking at this under a loupe is wild.

You guys are absolutely great. I'm learning a lot about grading and varieties and, after looking at several other coin forums, this one is the best IMHO. Thanks for all your great comments!

 

It's because GDJMSP beats us, when we are wrong.
:hammer:

 

I now know exactly what grade this coin is. It is VF, XF, AU or MS, original or cleaned and somewhere between a strong strike and a weak strike. It has been a long time since I have seen this many opinions on one coin.

 

.....and as the owner of the coin and a rabid, newly "minted" collector, I'm loving it! Kiss

 

I just bought the book today!! Its nice to see an example and put the book to use.

"On characteristics and appearance: Slight weakness in the horizontal shield stripes is normal; otherwise, other areas are usually sharp. Many have the 2 (1882) filled in (some of these have been incorrectly called overdates)."

On the doubling in the motto......Could this be what is sometimes called Longacre Doubling??? Can anyone chime in here?

Nice coin!

 

Yes - I believe it is what is called Longacre doubling.