Looking for other's opinions on this coin before I buy it. - Would it benefit from/be accepted for restoration? - Are the 2 "scratches" a major turn-off (even after restoration)? - Would the "scratches" get it a "details" grade? - Will the slight rim ding get it a "details" grade? - I'm thinking it would clean up to a VF-20. What say you? - What would you pay? Thank you.
I'd consider the scratches a dealbreaker of a turnoff, and almost certainly grounds for a Details grade, as is the patch of unnatural color on the reverse. From a technical standpoint, VF20-25 is about right. I'd still be tempted if the price were under $150.
Thank you for the response. "How would the scratches would look after restoration?", is the question. Normal wear and tear on a circulated coin, acceptable for a straight grade? The position of them could be worse (across the face). The odd coloring may be the result of a long-ago cleaning. Any idea if restoration will fix that? It is under $150, barely, so yeah, I'm tempted, too, lol. I'd be into it for about $200 after restoration and grading, for a $300-$350 straight graded coin.
Yeah, all of that. I don't know how well the scratches would blend after restoration, nor if those two large patches on the obverse (front of bust and ear) would come away. I'm torn between "every coin deserves to be its' best" and "I'll never really be right-side up on this one." And it's over 200 years old...dangit.
Seems like more risk than the reward is worth. For about the same price as restoration/slabbing/coin you could purchase a VF20/25 coin without the problems you mentioned. What if the restoration exposes more damage (I'm looking at that mysterious blob near the lower right side of the bust)? If the coin is graded details VF-20/25, it's become a negative investment. Details XF- it's about a wash. I did come across this old auction of a PCGS VF-20 with a similar looking scratch. The coin wasn't graded details, but the market decided otherwise. The coin sold for $10 less than a F-15 the previous year. https://coins.ha.com/itm/half-cents...ice-225/a/25113-13004.s?hdnJumpToLot=1x=0&y=0
Without the scratches I think $150 is right. With the scratches, under $100. ($75-$90?) Cleaning it up can be risky if you are not an expert and could damage the coin further, and the scratches will not clean up.
Thanks for the input, gentlemen. As noted, I can probably find one at a decent price and not worry about what a TPG would say on this one. That being said, if I can finagle it for under $100, I may rescue it. I've been known to gamble a time or two. If not, the next interested party can take their chances.
