What do you guys think of this coin? It's my only 19th century copper with what I presume is original luster. Despite the nic on the shield, I think this is a MS coin. Junk bin find (those hours of digging paid off). I want to send this in to anacs/ICG because I'm curious if it would grade, doubt their opinion would raise the value. Looks to be around $100 in MS62... Keep it raw? Appreciate y'all's two cents.
I think a little searching is in order. Check for slabbed prices before deciding. I'm not sure about the stain affecting the grade.
Definitely AU, there is wear on the high points. I would call it AU53RB. It does have nice luster but the wear on Britannia's hip and Victoria's hair mixed with loss of luster in the fields keeps it from being an MS coin. I would keep it raw in an airtite or non-PVC flip.
IMO it's more AU-55 BN, but that's US grading. They could easily see it as a bit lower in the UK where the standards are tougher.
Check out Penny 1889 Freeman UNC with around 70% lustre and some tone spots in places: https://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&auc=169&searchlot=1692&searchtype=2 It sold for £140 recently (@ $191) and in excellent UNC condition is worth around £350 (@ $478). Just over 12.5m were minted. Yours looks better condition than the one that sold, at least on the obverse.
Very, Very nice...but not MS, i think I see high spot wear: helmet, neck and chest of Britannia, the reverse. Still, I would be proud to own that coin. I, too, am curious as to its possible grade, and if I owned it, I would have it slabbed to confirm...but curiosity costs you, you will be the final arbiter...outstanding coin...Spark
I am not sure what you are seeing Steve. Those coins aren't even in the same league. The on you posted is no doubt UNC. The one posted by the OP is clearly circulated.
Hello and Happy New Year. That is a nice coin which appears to be a high AU grade based on field chatter, slight wear and nicks on the shield. I would keep it raw and protect it in a good quality non PVC flip. The cost of getting it encapsulated and graded does not warrant that service. Any buyer of the coin would not buy the holder, They would buy the coin for eye appeal. Nice find, enjoy coin collecting.
As mentioned by others, with the wear on the coin, it is AU at best, so putting it in a flip or self-slabbing it would be what I'd do. JMHO
On the question of pricing, the first consideration is to determine which variety of 1889 penny this is. The Victorian bronze coinage of 1860 to 1894 is one of the most complicated, says Spinks,Coins of England. Excluding coins from the Heaton mint (all those with the letter H in the exergue with the date), there are 13 obverses and 14 reverses for the pennies, so there can be multiple combinations. Luckily, there are only two for the 1889 penny. Both versions have the same reverse (Spinks reverse N) and either obverse 12 or 13. The differences, as in all cases are minute, and generally speaking can only be detected in high grade coins. The difference between these two obverses is that in obverse 12 the wreath in Victoria’s hair has 15 leaves while in obverse 13 there are only 14 leaves. Unfortunately, I find it hard to say which is which from the photo. The 1889 penny with Obverse 12 Reverse N commands a premium of 60% over Obverse 13 Reverse N.
