hone your grading skills -- matron head large cent

Attached below is my newest purchase.

Please guess the grade that PCGS assigned to this coin, and also your own grade if it differs.





As always, your thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes are welcomed. I always enjoy reading other's opinions of coins in my collection.

Have fun...Mike

 

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Beautiful coin!

Well, I'm not that strong at these, but if I was guessing, I'd say PCGS AU-58. It could also be UNC, but I am not familiar with the strike in this series. I don't think PCGS BB'd it, becasue the color looks okay and I don't see any signs of cleaning.

 

AU-58. Nice strike and nice color. Is that some doubling in "Liberty"?

 

I'm going to guess AU58 as well. It looks like there's some wear on the hair above the forehead and on the high points of the leaves on the reverse. That's a really sharp looking coin though Mike...a nice bit of doubling in LIBERTY as well! I would also think that that's about as close as you're going to get to Red on something like that.

 

I'll guess AU-53 because of the "color shadow" effect on the obverse, the nick on the chin and the light wear on the high points. Really beautiful coin with great LIBERTY doubling!

 

My thoughts, before reading any other posts :

PCGS AU58 BN. EAC XF45.

This coin has many strong points. Great planchet, strong strike - even the star centers are good. Few marks.

Slight rub on the lower locks of hair and high points of leaves. It's a shame that prevents an MS grade - this one might go MS64.

My guess is it was lightly cleaned long ago and has retoned. That, plus the "partial eclipse" toning on the obverse probably knocks it down just a bit in EAC thinking.

Another great example of why a strong AU coin is such excellent value - better eye appeal than low MS coins at a much lower price.

Wonderful coin, Mike ! So hard to find good coppers like this.

 

i know nothing of this coin series, but i'm willing to guess, it costs me nothing - XF45.

-Steve

 

That is a nice coin!
I don't think i have seem many coins of that era with so few marks. Concerning the grade, after comparing your coin with a few similar in Heritage, i will say XF45 to AU50. Minimal wear on the high points as other have pointed out. I will not comment on the colour, as i just do not have the experience to call it Red/Brown or Red.
This is a nice coin, congratulations Mike. You also seem to enjoy early coppers, so we share that passion. And a passion it is!
Regards,
Ed

 

A stunner in AU-53 condition???

 

Mike thats a beauty!

My first reaction was the browning on the object, and then I noticed some appearent wear on the tail of the hair. The reverse shows slight contact circulation wear as well. I will say AU 58 because it is so well perserved in this state.

Very Nice Example.

Allen

 

I am going to say that is a choice coin no matter what the grade. I am thinking PCGS gave it an AU58 for eye appeal - and while I would pay AU58 money. I think based off the wear it would be AU53 or AU55, but with all that luster I can see PCGS giving it AU58. I really do not think PCGS would grade this coin a low MS - the small breaks in luster on the reverse on the give away to me. This is all just my opinion - absolute great eye appeal.

 

au-55

 

You have a R-E-A-L-L-Y nice cent there! I am going to have to go with AU-58!

 

high AU

 

You guys pretty much nailed the grade on this one. AU 58 is what PCGS graded it.

The coin in-hand is a slightly different and darker color, and the color changes depending on the angle of the light (as much circulated copper does). There is high-point wear which is clearly visible in the photos. What's not so visible is the semi-prooflike fields and the luster on the coin.

Personally, I think the coin is fairly graded, although I'm not 100% sure the color is natural, and the circular toning on the obverse is a touch distracting, overall I am very pleased with the newest addition to my date set (otherwise it would have been returned). FWIW, it replaced this coin, which was in my collection for years:



Now if I could only find a nice 1817, 1824 and 1825 to match the NEWP.

Thanks to all who guessed and provided their opinions on the coin. I appreciate it...Mike

 

There's a cool EAC National Convention coming up in Dallas ! I bet they got some somewhere !

 

The 1817 shouldn't be too much trouble - you see nice ones from time to time, but having searched for the 24 and 25 for a few years now, I suspect finding one that is suitable to me will be a challenge. However, please buy me a nice example of each while you're there.

 

Heck yeah ! :thumb:

Face value is only 3c ... how hard can it be ?

 

If it distracts you too much feel free to send it to me.