Good Morning! Here are a couple of coins that I would appreciate some discussion on. The first a 1916 D Merc. It is in pretty poor condition, but I am still proud of it! Notice the green "stuff" ? What would you do? Anything? Grade and value would be appreciated. The 1921 D is really in ugly shape. I have another one similiar to this one and the D is MUCH stronger. Is this just a weak strike? Again, opinions as to grade and value. Thanks! :hail:
I would have the 16 D authenticated as I am always suspicious of low grade 16 Ds. The 21 D I would grade at VG although it looks by the dark orange color that it might have some light porosity.
1916-D....Grade AG3 cleaned. Approx. value around $500. 1921-D...Grade VG8. Approx. value around $115-125 As far as doing anything about the "green stuff" on the coin. IMO, do absolutely nothing to the coin. Enjoy them as they are. I agree with sending the 16-D to a TPG. I'd suggest ANACS.
Since these coins were part of a hoard of silver my Grandfather buried in about 1939, I doubt that the coin was cleaned. It lay in the ground for 30 some odd years along with THOUSANDS of other silver coins! There were lots of green ones...much worse than this one. I have no reason to believe that it is a fake either. I sorted all those coins myself and was there when they were dug up. Having said that, I might consider sending it to ANACS. Thanks for the suggestion. So...as to the green stuff. What to do? Would a dip in actone help?
I would call the 1916-D an AG-3. You could potentially send to NCS to see if they can get the green off the coin. If it could be removed, then it could be slabbed in an NGC holder for authentication purposes. The mintmark does look genuine to me from the images though. I would call the 1921-D Fine details, environmental damage. It still has some meat left on the coin, but does have some issues. Better date Merc Dimes are extremely active at present.
I would say Fr-2, maybe ag-3 on the 16-d. As for the PVC, you could take a cotton swab with acetone and lighly rub the coin to remove the PVC and surface dirt. As long as you do it lightly and not rub in the coin so then you cleaned it. You may want to practice on other mercuries. By the time you send it to NCS for 100 bucks and then if NGC grades it plus postage, you have spent over 150 dollars on a coin that you may get 600 at TOPS.
The D in the 1921 is so weak though the overall condition is fairly good. That coin is in better shape than the 1916, but the mint mark is weaker. Showing my ignorance...what is Fr-2?
Fair-2.....the wear almost completely obliterates the lettering, just a bit too much for an AG-3 grade. I agree on the acetone thing. ANACS is your best bet on that coin. I would have no idea on a FR-2 price, but I have sold many 16-D's in a PCGS AG-3 slab for around $650
I agree, with the 16-D, I'd consider sending it to NCS, to prevent future damage. Nice coins none the less IMHO, they are keys. :thumb: Phoenix
Thanks! It has been one of the most enjoyable times of my life going through all these coins. I am semi retired and those coins really helped pass the cold, dreary winter!!
I always wondered why 1916-D is so often found in AG grades ? Wouldn't people put the key date aside before it circulates so much ?
As with any first year issue and key date, some examples were saved and one can find 1916-D Mercs in Unc if they are willing to pay the price. However, many examples of this date circulated heavily for years without being pulled from circulation. Part of the reason was possibly that many did not worry about mintmarks on coins until the advent of coin collecting boards in the 1930s. Therefore, saving a Philadelphia minted 1916 Merc was satisfactory for a lot of collectors of the day. Over 200 low grade 1916-D Mercs showed up in the New York Subway Hoard that Littleton purchased about 10-15 years ago. Most of these were AG coins.
Wow, 200 low grade 1916 Ds just made my mouth water. I really need one to complete my set of Mercs. Now, what to do? Bruce
I'll have to say Fr 2 for the 1916 D and a G 6 for the 1921 D. The wear on the 16D is obscuring the letters while on the 21D the letters are quite readable. Bruce
Just found an ebay link to a 16-d fair 2 graded by anacs. http://cgi.ebay.com/1916-D-Mercury-...ryZ41091QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I was looking on the anacs website and they will not grade a coin that has pvc, so it would need to be removed, but let's see whay happens on this ebay coin.
