I've got a few coins handed down through the family and I thought I'd try to get a sense of the grade & value. Here's two of the better condition ones... 1. 1898 Quarter Eagle 2. 1853 Dime Lastly, about 10-15 years ago the dime and few gold coins were put into hard plastic holders, like the 3rd image. I've read about certain plastics being bad for coins. Do you think these are safe? or should I remove them? Thanks, --Paul
I think they're both XF45. Nice ! Look original. IF they are XF45, the 1898 is about $175 and the 1853 Arrows in the range of $35 or so. The only plastic I know is bad are the PVC flips. The hard plastics I think are OK; I personally don't know of any bad ones. Definitely keep checking around.
I agree on the 1898 $2-1/2 Gold but believe that the 1853 Dime may only go a VF-35! I tried to wish the Arrows at the Date on the Dime away but it did not work!:headbang: Frank
I'm curious why you say that... I suppose it's possible, but it would have to have been more than 50 years ago. I know for a fact it was in a leather bag in the back of a drawer in my grandfather's house since the 50's (along with the dime). The bag was found again in mid-90's and shortly after went into the plastic case. I don't know much about it before that, other than it belonged to my great grandmother, she saved it instead of turning it in in the 30's.
I would agree. The reason is because of all the dirt, grime and black gunk that is still held in the protected areas and recesses of the coin while the rest of the coin is vitually grime free. Also because of the fine hairlines on the surface of the coin.
They both look VF/XF to me. I'll bet the 1/4 Eagle looks better in hand than the picture. Gold is very soft and tough to photograph (amateurly) and gauged on other similar coins which I've seen up close in hand I'd venture to say the 1898 hasn't been cleaned. These are just my thoughts based on the pictures and personal experience. Ben
Ok, now for a follow up question... Does it make sense to have these professionally graded? (I also have a few others that I will be posting pictures of in the near future). I don't plan to sell them any time soon, but am more concerned about proper protection of the coins... --Paul
I wouldn't get them graded. The most the gold is worth is around $250, so a $40 fee to slab it doesn't seem viable to me. I would merely get some Air-Tite holders to put them in.
Of the top 4 grading companies, only ANACS would slab the quarter eagle. NGC, PCGS and ICG would body-bag it because of the cleaning. The dime is not worth having it slabbed. If you wish to protect the coins, put them in an Air-Tite brand holder. That will protect them as well as any slab and cost less than $3 for both at any coin shop.
