This coin seems like a good deal for slightly less than 1200. It looks AU55 to me (or even better), and although I don't have the funds for it, I think it's a good price (i.e steal) at the price it's listed at, even in an ICG holder. http://cgi.ebay.com/1836-Classic-head-2-1-2-Gold-ICG-AU55-NICE_W0QQitemZ250488767759QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCoins_US_Individual?hash=item3a524b450f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 Here's mine for comparison, NGC AU53. Notice it has more wear around the letters, it also has a CAC sticker for the grade. I got it from mark feld for $1200. What ya'll think?
I personally think that for the grade and issue, even though the mintage is only 500,000 + $1,200 is too much to pay for this, and should you want or need to re-sell, your chances of recovery is slim. IMHO I also don't believe this coin will cross to either PCGS or NGC at to current designated grade or higher. I would also like to hear comments from other CT members on this coin.
The BIN is slightly lower than the greysheet value for a AU-50. In this case that may(?) be a concession to the ICG slab. IMO ICG doesn't get the respect it's due. I frankly see this coin as a good buy. Maybe the seller needs money in a hurry. And we have no idea how much he paid for it. Could be a win-win situation. He gets a profit and you get a bargain.
Coinman are you talking about my coin or the one listed for sale? I like it, and apparently so does NGC and CAC. The obverse has some obvious wear but the reverse is real nice, it also has some real nice semi PL surfaces, and a nice patina. It has great eye appeal.
I think it would cross at NGC and has a shot at PCGS. Here is an NGC AU55 which I think is slightly overgraded by PCGS standards.
Crusty coins, what a beautiful quarter eagle! I didn't know you collected those. Does it have any luster/reflectiveness? I'd have to agree with your assessment, it looks AU53 to me, the lettering on the headress is good but the stars are worn a little, and the reverse wings are slightly worn, as well as the lines in the shield. Coinman, I paid $1200 for my AU53 CAC/NGC coin. That was actually a good price, I know that mark prices his coins extremely competitively. Here are the photo's that he used: So $1200 for an AU55, being 1 grade higher than mine, seems like a good deal to me. Not only does it look like a true '55 (most of these coins are overgraded), it seems to have some nice golden orange toning too.
GCL, yes it does have some luster but it is subdued by the toning. Unfortunately I see over graded old gold more often than not in NGC holders which makes me think they just grade to a different standard than what I am used to at PCGS. Personally depending on eye appeal I think a solid AU55 should be in the $1400-$1500 range. I took a chance on mine from lousy photos on Teletrade and over paid at the higher end. But I knew the risk going in. I have since decided that I am not going to collect quarter eagles until I finish my Half Eagle variety set. Only 10 more coins to go there so I'll be selling mine shortly most likely for a loss.
" Not only does it look like a true '55 (most of these coins are overgraded), it seems to have some nice golden orange toning too."[/QUOTE] I disagree to the assigned grade. As I quoted you,"most of these coins are over graded " . I guess the points are mute, since your not bidding .
I disagree to the assigned grade. As I quoted you,"most of these coins are over graded " . I guess the points are mute, since your not bidding .[/QUOTE] Well you're entitled to your opinion, grading is subjective. It seems especially with these coins to get a solid example you have to go higher, ie if you find an MS piece most likely it is a an AU, a solid AU is sometimes an XF. It is hard to find these coins especially that are 'solid' for the grade...both services seem to overgrade them, but I think ICG graded it correctly here...my grading ability also isn't that great, and I think you may be correct on the grade.
At K-11? Looks like a die crack, crustycoin's coin has it also...must be from a particular die marriage.
Yeah, who knows it could be a problem coin NGC or PCGS would spot. I'm also curious to hear mark's opinion.