I've been looking at getting a nice 20 cent piece for my type set for a while now. Unlike most other coins, this is going to be the only 20 cent piece I ever plan on buying...so I want to get a good one. Because the 1876 has such a low mintage compared to the 1875-S, but the mint state prices are similar, I'd naturally rather stick with the '76. So I found this on Heritage last night. I guess the reason I'm making this thread is because I want to get opinions on whether this is a good grade. The fact that it's in an old PCGS holder makes me think it should be OK, but the scratches on the right obverse field look like damage. I have a few PCGS MS62 coins that just seem to have a bunch of bag marks...nothing that looks like organized scratches in a group or something. Maybe it's the photos that make it look that way; however, that area is also mentioned in the description. I love the slight toning around the rim. I just want to see what CoinTalk has to say about the right side before I bid. Thanks. http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1142&Lot_No=3522&Lot_Id_No=176002
Imo those scratches aren't on the coin, but they're on the slab. It looks like the slab is pretty beat up because there are a number of scratches on the rev that are also on the slab.
Look a little further to the right. The more verticle lines that are darker are what I'm talking about. Not the group of lighter horizontal ones.
Yeah, most of those deeper scratches are on the plastic, looks like at one time the coin might have been wiped. (hairlines) It was almost an acceptable practice 70-80-100 years ago to take a soft cotton rag and gently wipe the coins surfaces. Course we all know now not to do that, don't we, but many, many, 19th century coins were wiped.
The darker lines imo are on the coin, but they appear to be very, very light scratches (like frost breaks). I wouldn't worry about them, but what I would worry about is the luster. A lot of the new Heritage pics are awful at showing luster, or lack there of, and those pics are no exception.
That coin is a beaut for a 62, and in the OGH i am thinking possible upgrade? I can detect a few light hits on liberty's arm , and on the shield, but many of those scratches are on the slab. Grey sheet ask for this type is 1175 in ms63 and 465 in ms60. Use those figures as well as priced realized on heritage for similar pieces to factor how much you are wiling to bid. And dont forget the juice(15%) and shipping, and insurance. Good luck!
My personal preference is NOT to buy coins graded MS-60, -61 or -62. Coins with those grades have a problem. If your wallet can't accomodate a MS-63, consider an AU-55 or -58. This being said, I now have to admit that I have some coins in the low MS grades. But they were all bought raw back in the 70's before slabbing. Plus I knew a lot less then.
I like that one alot and think the scratchs are on the holder too. It's from Summer Fun so have someone look at it in hand for you before you bid
Not all of the scractches are on the holder, there are some small ones on the coin as well. But all in all I think the coin is correctly graded. That said, the OP said he'd like to get a nice one - well, this coin isn't it. It definitely has issues and that's why it's graded 62. But of 62 is the budget limit, then you're stuck. If not, look for another.
I guess it depends upon what you are looking for. The coin isn't original since it has been dipped and therefore the skin has been stripped at least once in its past and this might lead to subdued luster in-hand. The MS62 grade is often a killer because many folks, myself included, wonder if the coin is just a really attractive AU58 when they see the MS62 grade. The OGH is the best thing about the coin on some levels and this is a dangerous aspect to have in a coin. What might this coin cost you? If $700 then it might be great, if $1,100 you might be buried. To put it another way, do you want to spend $700 for a coin you might not be thrilled with in the future?
I'd have to say the scratches on the obverse pics are mostly on the holder. However there is a deep gouge/scratch on Liberty's right arm and left arm. I'd also question the reverse scratches, especially above and below the eagle's right (left when viewing the coin) wing. Those scratches are contained within the field area, so, appear to be on the coin, probably from an improper cleaning. If you can live with the coin as is, it is otherwise a nice coin - one I wouldn't mind having at a substantial bargain price (for the reverse scratches).
Not all coins graded 60-62 are problem coins. They are just unc with a few more hits, and or impaired luster. Guess it depends on your definition of Problem coin. To me a problem coin has been heavily dipped, or metal moved, or AT, or even old cleanings.
Thank you everyone for all the good info here. It's what I needed to hear. Maybe not what I wanted to hear, but it'll help prevent me from buying something that I'll regret later. I know everyone has a different collecting budget, but this kind of coin would be a huge purchase for me. I don't know if I could justify saving more for an MS63 coin at this point. I might be better off going with a nice AU55 or AU58 20 cent piece now.
