Opinion - 1838 Half Dime

Two very unfair things about aging. Both the eyesight and the memory catch a train out of town. For the life of me, I do not remember where I acquired this half dime.

This half dime displays beautiful luster (particularly on the reverse) that doesn't really show in photo's. I am a sucker for white coins and suspect this one has been dipped, however the luster remains so it was done well.

I have this half dime in a simple flip. I was looking at the PCGS price guide and there is quite a swing in value between XF to AU.... Just wondering if you would consider this a candidate for the TPG's?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think the coin will be returned AU-Details. Looks cleaned to me.

 

I wouldn't think you were crazy for giving it a shot.

 

The coin appears to have been cleaned, and there are some marks around Ms. Liberty's chin and throat. The cleaned part might look worse because the photo appears to have been overexposed.

I tried to fix the photo. The results make it appear that some aspects of the surfaces, like the center of the reverse and Ms. Liberty's head area, have been rubbed.

 

In my opinion, you would most likely be disappointed in the TPG determination. It is a nice looking coin but does appear to have been crudely cleaned. Good luck

 

I wouldn't send it in for grading. It'll come back cleaned in my opinion also.

 

You can take a chance sending it in, but it will come back as a details coin. It has been harshly cleaned.

 

The only reason to certify it would be to let PCGS determine its worth. It’s AU-ish and has been cleaned at some point. If I were to try to sell it, I’d want my bidders to determine its worth to them, without any nudging from PCGS. We’re I to keep it, I like 2X2s. I think they show off the coins better. I can take them out and get better photos, too, whenever I want.

 

I must be reading the pics differently than others. It has an old dip, but I think it has some luster and not seeing hairlines.

 

You are reading it differently. It was cleaned—100% certain. Polishing marks on obverse, as reverse picture is less clear.

 

Randy, looks like there is a consensus, & I'm definitely with the majority on this one. That said, it's still a great looking coin (especially for those who aren't so finicky,...like me! )

Don't leave out the hearing (says my wife!)

 

Randy, if this were my coin I’d leave as is. I can see a little luster but I also see signs of being cleaned and not just from a dip. It’s a nice looking coin but I think TPG would slab it cleaned-details with no grade. Save your money and buy a coin instead.

 

Honestly.... The older I get, the more I think about my mortality. See, I know I won't be selling any coins. God didn't give me the coin selling gene..... So been on a kick to get everything I have worth more than about $200.00 slabbed so my wife won't have to get argued down about authenticity and such. She knows about as much about my coins as I know about her kitchen.

 

If my wife knew as much about my coins as I know about my kitchen (yes, you read that correct) I’d be a happy man.

 

Ok on my phone it looks more like kind of streaky toning.....would love to see it in hand.
I do see quite a bit of gunk in the reverse lettering which might also point to more than a dip though.

 

Actually an excellent argument! Perhaps work up a deal with @Insider Coins in an NCG holder will 1) have a grade and 2) perhaps have some value above a raw coin.

 

I would like to let somebody that still has vision and knows their coins to have a look at it for me!

 

I get that. Let me just caution, “details” is easy bargaining for the buyer. And this is the thing about “cleaned.” That doesn’t adequately describe the condition of the surface. Rather, it slaps a bad label on the entire coin. For example, you say there’s surface luster left. Well, “cleaned” says there isn’t any. And a bidder, even if he or she sees the luster, is going to use that label to his or her advantage. And I don’t think this one is going to straight-grade at PCGS. So, just my thinking...

 

View attachment 1294948

longshot, posted: "I must be reading the pics differently than others. It has an old dip, but I think it has some luster and not seeing hairlines."

Hairlines are not usually visible in an image as this. I suspect the coin is actually whizzed. The clue is the dark patch in the center of the reverse. As for luster. Most metal surfaces have reflected light (luster). Original Mint luster does not look like this.

PS Cleaned metal has luster!

 

OK, I'll talk about something I know nothing about, lol. Seems I'm good at that! But, looking at the photos (on my phone, of course) it looks like slight doubling on the "38" and the "half cent"? Am I just seeing things?