To anyone who has seen the optical phenomena I am describing, it is hard to describe... it has a subdued, yet "sparkly", "glisten" look to it... it weighs 6.41 grams. Breen's estimate, with 60 to the pound, is 7.56 grams. Thoughts? Thanks.
Near the low end for a genuine example according to this site which says it should weigh 88-150 grains (5.702-9.72g). Ephraim Brasher (of Brasher Doubloon fame) and his partner John Bailey used the Latin for "New York" on their 1787 coppers. Edited to add:The OP's revision to 6.41g still puts the piece near the low end of acceptable weight.
Yes indeed. I am a bit concerned about the specimen's surfaces; its sparkly glistening granular look under angled sunlight. I scoped the reverse; the green specked area does not appear to be verdigris. The pitting could be ground damage; could also be symptomatic of a less pleasantry. However, the edge does appear okay...
Cheetah, this example of the same variety in my collection was also described by the auctioneer (Stacks) as having "somewhat glossy surfaces despite extremely fine granularity". Maybe this is peculiar to the variety. Weight is 108.3 grains, and 27.1 mm in diameter. Assigned grade is F 15. Hopefully this allows you to compare with yours.
Thanks Eduard. I took the specimen back to the dealer. Upon close-up inspection of it under high-power, I found what appeared to be trace evidence of wax among details and motto. I wasn't going to risk it. The specimen gave me the heebie-jeebies after I got home and began to further perform diagnostics. Though some of the more seasoned salts here may disagree, IMO the specimen appeared to be quite borderline.
The coloring of your specimen is much different than mine, and is more in line and typical of all like-era specimens I have on hand and have studied.
Hard to tell for certain from the pics but, from your descriptions it sounds like your example had been oiled in the past (which was/is an acceptable practice and the norm in some circles). An oiled coin usually has a dark and/or wet look to it. The fall 2004 issue of The C4 Newsletter, the official publication of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club, highlighted discussions between collectors concerning the positive and negative aspects of using olive oil or mineral oil as solvents to remove dirt and similar substances from copper coins. It was pointed out that while olive oil will remove dirt and other contaminants, "its acidity – depending on the oil's crudeness – will also remove desirable patina, darken the copper coin's surfaces and expose it to further contamination." Discussions also stated that mineral oil contains no acids and will remove dirt, grease and wax. "It does little or no good in removing verdigris (oxides that can form on copper over time as the copper reacts with substances like carbon dioxide and oxygen)." Some EAC members still advocat the use of oils to better preserve the copper surfaces by putting a protective layer of oil to slow down verdigris from forming or growing on the coins.
If it was ONLY wax on the surface there shouldn't be a problem. In the days of the early us mint (and a few documented cases of pre-and post federal private mints as well as British mints) wax was used to preserve striking dies in between uses/(re)marriages.
Revisiting my post cause this is specimen is bugging me, even though I returned it... See what also bugs me about that specimen is the 11 o'clock on the Reverse. Unless someone knows otherwise, guidance indicates that collars were not used while striking Nova Eboracs... but yet the edge of the planchet at 11 o'clock looks compressed upwards as if the edge of a collar forced the edge of the planchet upwards... The only other phenomena that I can think of that would cause this is a pour... and the top of Lady's hair to the edge looks almost like a spur...
I think overall you did well to return it. Another anomaly about that coin, IMHO, is the sharpness of the word "EBORAC" compared to the wear/sharpness of the bust. Even accounting for an uneven strike, the individual lettering seems much too sharp. Here is another Eborac: this one with figure seated left. Not my best colonial coin, and one I should probably have returned as well. Notice the planchet flaws on the bust. They are as-made but distracting. (incredibly) this coin is encapsulated by ANACS as VF30.
I agree with C.C., this one bugs me too and I would not be surprised to learn that it was a cast copy.... however, I am not convinced that it isn't a ground find that was cleaned up.
