1905 Liberty Double Eagle Help

This is my first post since joining Coin Talk. Some history. About 25 years ago, I purchased my first coin from the (shudder!) Home Shopping Network. At the time I did not know anything about coin collecting. My wife was watching and she called me into the room to take a look at a gold coin that was being sold. I liked it, so I purchased it. That purchase did get me into coin collecting, so thanks HSN!

I think I would like to send it in to NGC for grading and wanted to get some opinions on what the coin might grade and whether you can tell from the photos if the coin has been cleaned.

Also, on the obverse at about the 1:00 position near the rim there is a "ding". I am wondering if this occurred at the mint or if its just circulation damage.

Excuse the photos as this is my first attempt at photographing coins!

PS I have never purchased another coin from HSN! Although they did get me started in coin collecting.

 

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Welcome to CT. Like your coin and would also like to know if it would grade. Of course the only reason to have it graded is to increase the value. How much did you pay for it?

 

The "ding" looks like a strike thru. I would not spend the money to have that coin graded because it will not change the coin's value if you sell it. Take your wife to lunch for the money you'll save.

 

Nice coin. Of course, it all depends on how much you paid for if you did well. I agree it would not be worth grading probably. These generally are worth their weight in gold, little more.

 

The price of the coin was about $400.00. Not intending to sell it, but I am thinking a NGC holder would help protect it and certify that it is genuine.

 

$400 for almost an ounce of Au....You can't loose, even buying it off HSN.
J.T.

 

Awesome buy! It was probably overpriced at the time, too

 

very nice buy price.

 

I agree with the rationale, but unless you submit other coins or go in with someone, don't spend TOO MUCH to grade this one coin individually.

If NGC is at a future coin show, you might be able to get it graded and slabbed there at a reasonable price.

I've never submitted, so the vets here can help you.

 

Nice looking coin. You dun good.

 

Wow! Sweet purchase price, good on you!

 

If you take it to a coin show (or to a dealer or two) you can get a good assessment as to it's being genuine.

 

Thanks for all the responses! It seems NGC is having a"Special Grading Event" thru August 7th that gives you a 20% discount on grading submissions. I would point you to the NGC press release, but not sure if I am allowed to post a web address. I may take advantage of that for this coin and as suggested one or two more coins.

 

I believe we both know, that coin should be submitted, I believe to NGC.

JMHO

 

The pictures aren't crystal-clear, but I'm guessing the coin is AU53 or 55.

 

Steve, did you get the coin graded by any chance ?

 

Has anybody seen or read this book by David Bowers on Liberty DE's ?

https://www.amazon.com/U-Liberty-He...+eagles,+bowers&qid=1613922765&s=books&sr=1-1

 

If you have never submitted a coin for grading you might enjoy it. I maintain the lowest level NGC membership so that I can participate in their registry (which allows NGC and PCGS coins to be listed - raison d'etra for me). it's not very expensive and when you join for the first time you might be able to list some coins for free. If you have any others you want to submit that might be worthwhile. That's what I did when I first joined, but other than a breakout or two I haven't submitted a raw coin since. I do send in coins in broken or badly scuffed holders to get a fresh holder. The new ones are much better than the old ones. Of course if you get a details grade it's disappointing - but sometimes there are pleasant surprises. I've had that happen too - like the time I broke out a CC half eagle that was in an ICG holder as XF 45 and it came back from NGC as AU58. But ironically it wasn't a very interesting looking coin ( I originally bought it as bullion) I thought it had been cleaned because it was very bright. So I sold it at a nice profit and with the money I obtained a really sweet, better date CC quarter eagle that really is an XF45 but it's so much more interesting than the 58 ever was. So ..... FWIW, if you really like the coin and it has some sentimental value - or knowing you can sell it for more if it's in a slab - even a details slab as long as it's confirmed to be genuine - it could be worth grading. There are some advantages, especially with gold coins because buyers will suspect a fake if you don't have the credential to speak for it yourself.

 

Going by the photos, and assuming that the coin is genuine, which I think it is, I would grade it AU-53 or 55 at best. The one possible problem is the spot you highlighted behind Ms. Liberty's head. It could be a struck-though or it could be where a spot was lifted. If it is a lifted spot, that could result in a no grade, but genuine.

The advantage to getting it graded is that is evidence that the piece is genuine. That will always make it easier to sell.