Well, RLM, any guy who has the wonderfully handsome and amazing Paul Newman as his avatar is pretty darn ok in my book. And 40 years with one woman means she must be an amazing lady. I have been married 18 years to a wonderful guy, and wouldn't give him up for anything (or anyone!). By the way, I'm definitely a red wine lady myself (ask any of my coin buddies), though I have been known to slam back a shot of good tequilla now and then!
Sorry, but you missed the avatar. That is Steve McQueen. Hey, she has put up with me, she must have something there.
OMG I knew that! - I don't know why I typed Paul Newman - guess I'm tired and should be paying better attention to my typing! And I think it's wonderful that you both have had each other for all these years, that's very rare.
Thanks Penny Lady for your professional opinion. The dealer I got the coin from has a different opinion. His is supported by the Redbook premium-pricing on this somewhat popular variety throughout all grades, from G4 on up, and on the fact that any obscurity thereon isn't due to circulation wear but rather to attractive woodgraining. But, I'm sure, no reason in going further into that. The coin, BTW, should you or anybody else be interested, is owned by 8 y/o Matty, by way of me. She entrusted it to my care and custody just for these pictures and questions. Seeing as how you're relatively new and as such may be unfamiliar with my regular dealer, that'd be Guido, of Guido's Rare Coins, who also specializes in a wide array of other collectibles as well as in fine furs and jewelry, electronics, appliances, and other such train-wreck related items and exumonia. Find him in Illinois at Augostino's, Melrose Park, Harlem at Grand, back table, most nights.
Of course 1869/69 Indian cents get a premium, usually double of the non-overdate. But I didn't say you wouldn't get ANY premium for this particular coin, just probably not as much if that coin didn't have the heavy woodgrain toning which somewhat obscures the overdate (at least it looks that way from the photos). I sell quite a lot of 1869/69 Indian cents and collectors looking for that date want to be able to easily see the overdate. My opinion is that if a customer were to look at the same grade 1869/69 as this one without the woodgrain toning, they would most likely choose the one without the woodgrain so they could see the overdate more clearly - unless, of course, the woodgrain coin was priced less!
I agree 100%. Maybe the overdate looks better in hand but the images are all out of focus to the point it's not easy to see.
You were speaking from years of experience, Penny Lady, and I'm in no way trying to compromise you by saying that--it's hard, cold fact. But I'll thank you for clarifying it further for me, here. I do appreciate it. PS: And on that "hi-jacking," it happens...have fun!
