1832 Caped Bust Half Dollar GTG

NGC graded this one VF-35.



When I first saw this coin, I noticed the strong luster on both sides of the coin and thought “Why in the heck is this not graded XF-45??!?” Well, the answer is the variety. The O-115 has a CRAPPY reverse strike, which makes it look 10 points lower in the upper grades. For comparison, here is an AU-55 of the same variety that I bought a couple years ago. Several of you guessed 10 points low on this one as well.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/gtg-1832-capped-bust-half.303734



I firmly believe that NGC got this one wrong. Fortunately, it is in my favor, but the holder is going to really hold back the value...

 

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Isn’t fullness of strike one of the considerations for the grade?

 

Not really until over MS-65

How would you feel about this being XF-45 (which it is)?

 

I agree with the XF-45 grade but personally, I wouldn't pay the XF-45 price for that coin. (The 1810 Half). If I were looking to buy one, I'd like it to have a sharper strike.

 

Well, CBHs aren’t my specialty and I am unfamiliar with O-115. I will say that I think the obverse here shows less wear than your original coin and has more even surfaces. I can see XF45 on this obverse. I had yours at XF40.

 

Some people think that NGC over grades coins all the time, but i’ve seen it got both ways. I have an 1835 half cent that I bought raw many years ago before slabbing that I had graded. NGC only gave it an MS-63, Brown when it is a solid MS-64. That makes the difference between making and losing money on it, but since I still have, it’s sitting in the same holder.

I agree with the OP that NGC under graded this one too, but they probably got hung up on the “new rub, probably from an envelope, that is on the obverse.

 

I see it as 45. It’s obvious strike weakness as the luster and the edges give that away. As to the op coin I’d be cracking it out and sending to pcgs

 

A nice 40.

 

45

 

I would be using the cutting pliers to wreck that slab, and submitting as raw. Sorry, but they blew it—that is definitely a 40-45 XF coin.

 

Nice coin, but no, I don’t think NGC got it wrong. Many bust half varieties are known for strike weakness. A weak strike and some remaining luster don’t make this an XF45.

PS: your PCGS AU55 is awesome!

 

+1
Edit: Posted before seeing reveal.

 

I’d agree with you if it was just hints of luster, but there is a lot of luster still present, especially on the reverse.

 

40

 

You bust em the same way I so. Those newer ngc slabs are tough tho. Pcgs a lot easier to crack as are the rest

 

Yeah, I can just use a cutter tool on PCGS slabs that is like an industrial box cutter. The cutting pliers are monsters, though.