This image. What say you? It was recently graded. I’m aware some will say it can’t be done off a photo but let’s assume this is an accurate image.
The wheat stalks look CAM, but the letters don't. You really have to show the obverse to even get started. There is not enough on the reverse of wheat cent to say one way or the other. I will warn you that my experience with the TPGs on the issues of whether or not something is CAM is very inconsistent. I see coins that would appear to be so that didn't get it, and I see others that don't appear to have it which got it. Here is an example. PCGS graded this Seated Dollar PR-63 CAM. This 1883 Morgan Dollar did not get a CAM. It's graded PR-64. The red spot is from the camera.
@johnmilton But you’d still need both sides to be CAM to get the designation? Same seller. How about Coin #2. Assuming the same lighting and just based on the Reverse image. CAM reverse? I would agree that there’s inconsistency but for the price paid, a CAM designation given to a coin struck at the very end of the dies life, certifying a total Pop 1, finest known example should not happen. Based on your photos I’d have switched the CAM for those coins, but depending on how long the 1 was was holdered I’d suppose the toning may have advanced hiding the Cam contrast but the other I just don’t know.
2 more images, Obverse only. Same seller, so for this thread, the same lighting is presumed. Which would you observe as CAM, Coin 1, Coin 2, both, or neither?
I would say the the #2 obverse should get a Cam, but only if the reverse is also a Cam. Both sides have to have it to get the designation. Cams from this era can happen in two ways. It can be a new die striking the first coins it made. Or it can be an older die, that was taken out of service and re-polished. It would be very difficult or impossible for a Cam to come from the last coin a die struck during this era.
Geeze, I've got to get off this medication. I had to re-read the entire post to realize you weren't talking about the A and M being close. I'll just go lay down now.
You nailed it. Coin 2 Reverse paired with the above coin 2 Obverse is the CAM coin. The other while nice falls short. What’s interesting is while generally California is more conservative with the CAMs in this instance they failed by giving a CAM to one of the last coins stuck off an overworked die. Initially I was interested in buying this coin until I looked at it. My only interest now to buy it would be to have it reviewed and corrected.
No. It does not. It does have some frost, but in order to justify a Cameo designation, the devices must be covered in frost completely, with no brilliance coming through.
Not even close. I see pretty much no frost at all. Only contrast I see between the field and devices is from glare on the devices.
You need both sides to be cameo before you'll get the designation. A one-sided cameo is the sort of thing that would get a star at NGC.
Correct, I agree the surfaces are nice, it’s just not a Cameo. I may bid on it just to get it off the market. I’m not sure what they’re doing, backlogged for months, pumping out mistakes, it’s chaos.
Buying Proof coins off the Web is a crap shoot. Most of the time, the photos are too dark to see much of anything. Other times, the coin is not for me because it's covered with luster dulling film. I am looking for Proofs from the 1936 to 1942 era. I'm down to 7 coins on my list, two cents, two dimes and three quarters. One of the things that drives me nuts is CAC stickers. As soon as a coin gets that, some dealers are asking prices go beyond retail. My upper limits for prices are the PCGS Coin Facts numbers. Usually those are on the high side. Some dealers want 30 to 40% higher than those figures when they are selling the CAC approved stuff. If all they will pay is Grey Sheet bid, that's too much money.
Welp it sold out of my take it off the market range. Someone paid up for the label. 1953 Proof Lincoln FS-402 graded by PCGS PR67 CAM, total POP in CAM is 1, this one. Ended tonight on GC near $2K with buyers fee.
