Hi Everyone, I picked up this 1897 Barber Quarter a couple of days ago and would like your opinions on the coin. I have it graded AU 53/55. It will be listed in my store, but I do not want to misrepresent the coin. I will certainly appreciate your feedback!
Not nearly as big a fan of this one. The coin appears cleaned and secondarily toned to my eye. I would grade it AU details.
I agree with you on that partner... I certainly think this coin saw a cleaning at some time in the past. That means we are looking at a details grade. The problem will be what value I place on the coin? At AU55 it lists for $156, however cleaned.... I am not good at pegging value. I got it for a song, I just don't want a future customer to be dissatisfied.
If you agree its been cleaned, why are you thinking of offering as a 55? Net it out and offer as such at sheet, not numismedia.
The AU53/55 details are still present, it is just that the coin has been cleaned. That would be a grade of AU 53/55 details - cleaned... right? That still doesn't resolve the acceptable value question?
Ruben, what evidence do you see of whizzing? I see evidence of cleaning but not whizzing. So you think the coin has no value above melt because it was cleaned? That's pretty harsh. I think the coin still has value but that value is much less than the value of an AU-53.
I see along the neck severe lines in the same direction, like its been whizzed. can I be wrong, maybe. But if anyone watches I generally don't give a negative opinion on a coin grade, or any grade, without thought and if I feel confident that I can give a correct grade. I can pretty much grade Morgans, Mercs, SLQs, Ikes,and Barb. Other than that, I generally don't venture and opinion because I don't know. Unless it is a very key year and mint mark has, IMO, almost no numismatic value. Even if I didn't know Barbers, that still looks to be as whizzed, or scrubbed with a cloth. Barbers aren't that scarce and that one is, IMO, very damaged with physical scraping or rubbing. Ruben
Well, I guess we have heard the bad... anything good out there to be said? *I am sorry, but in no manner do I consider this coin as 'scrap.' Just a matter of opinions...
To be totally honest, even if ignoring the cleaning (as much as is possible) and going on details alone, I think the 53/55 is being optimistic, but if you believe the coin to be in the AU range, offer it simply as "AU Details". You could also mention the cleaning and not quote a grade opinion... leaving it to the potential buyer to decide for themselves. I've already given my opinion on how to resolve the "acceptable value question". This is not a rare coin by any stretch of the imagination. Its at least been cleaned and is rather unattractive IMO. At best net no higher than EF, but possibly less depending on the severity of the cleaning. Were this my coin and going only on what little I can see, I would be happy to pull $60 in a retail setting.. maybe less. The coin is definitely worth more than melt, but nowhere even close what you quoted in your second post (#3).
I would say it is a 50/cleaned--au details. You would probably get 50-60 dollars for it max. It isn't that pretty a coin--the lack of luster gives it this grayish look.
OK, all things considered and having read your feedback with an objective mind, I have done the following. I have listed the coin in my online store titled as "1897 Barber Quarter." In the description I do reference a past cleaning and an opinion grade of 'AU Details.' I also put the coin at $85 with FREE shipping. I guess we will see what happens... I can tweak it along the way if need be... Thank you everyone on a really tuff coin with some definite issues. I appreciate your guidance and feedback. :thumb: The last thing I would want to do is mislead a customer. Having a conscience can be a real pain sometimes :smile
