Hi, Here is my 1836 Capped Bust Half Dollar, but Lady Liberty just doesn't look right to me. Both of the obverse and reverse look "smoothed out" too me in some places. You can see this smoothing if you look at Liberty's cheek and bust, but I have seen NGC slabbed coins with this phenomena and it didn't get a "details" grade. I think this smoothing is also evident on the obverse banner above the eagle where some of the letters are just obliterated. Some of the feathers on the eagles wings have also been smoothed. Additionally, both surfaces seem abnormally shiny. Here are the "tests" I've conducted... 1) The ring test - the coin produces a very nice, melodic tone suggesting silver. 2) Weight - 13.30 grams. The 2026 Red Book indicates 13.48 grams. 3) Diameter - 32.25mm. The 2026 Red Book indicates 32.5mm. While it's worn in some places, the edge says the following.... |||FIFTY|||CENTS|||OR|||HALF|||A|||DOLLAR||| I know there are many Overton varieties of this coin and although it appears to pass all the "testing" (if you want to call it that) I've done, Lady Liberty just doesn't look right to me somehow. I am required to liquidate this coin (and a few others) due to direction by an estate. I've generally been using Great Collections with a good result. Today, the melt value of this coin is $36.77. If I send it to GC, I don't want it returned to me as "suspect authenticity" or for their auction to get $20 for it because the TPG gives it a "details" grade because it may have been whizzed, cleaned, scratched, polished, etc. If this was slabbed and received a straight grade, I think it might be around VG-8 which would put the value in spitting distance of $100. What do you think? How should I liquidate this coin? Photos follow. Thanks!!!!
I would have a hard time seeing that coin even bringing $60 IMO. It looks real to me, just heavily abused.