I just bought this on ebay and I was wondering using PCGS standards what you think the grade might be before I send it in. These are very tough to grade and I am a rookie. Thanks in advance!
I strongly believe that it would either grade an au-58, or get bodybagged for what appears to be grafitti next to unum (sideways m)
zaneman, I copied and pasted the pictures of the coin into an email then using "edit picture", I blew the pictures of the coin up and could not see any Graffiti whatsoever on the coin! I think that what you may see and what also appears to be wear to me, is actually the quality and focus of the photo! Based on the above, I believe that the coin will go MS-62 or MS-63 but may even grade much higher! The $2.50 Indian series Gold coins are hard enough to grade in hand and much harder to grade using pictures that are not totally in focus and pixel quality has been degraded. Frank
Zaneman: I see what you are talking about, but, it is possible that it is just an unusual bagmark. Still, a nice coin. Frank
What is graffiti? Is this where someone intentionally carved something into the coin? Why would they do that? If this coin doesn't grade at least an MS60 then I have no idea what to look for. lol
bobergfe, Graffiti on a coin is where someone intentionally writes something on the coin such as Initials, a name, a remarkor whatever! This is usually done with a small knife blade or something else small. Some may do this out of love for another person, others do it out of ignorance while others do it, to intentionally cause harm (numismatic value wise or financially) to the owner of the coin. I trully believe from my inspection of the pictures, that the coin does not have any Graffiti on it but does have a few bag marks or other nicks that may lower the value a little. However, I still stick with my original assessment! If you could provide a few more pictures showing close-ups of the Indian's Headdress, his' braids below the ear and the Bear claws on the Obverse and a few close-ups around E PLURIBUS UNUM and the Eagle's details (wing, breast and leg feathers), we should be able to give a little better assessment of the grade of the coin! Frank
I see what looks like an M on the reverse, I also see what looks like a sizeable scratch on the obverse. And in my opinion the coin might be bodybagged for either - or both. I also agree that the coin has MS details that would likely grade 64 if not for the other marks.
Speedy: Are you available to go with me to my next coin show? I totally missed that mark on the reverse. good catch. But, I still think that they are just bag marks, I guess that we'll see when the coin comes back. Frank
bobergfe, I think it's a really nice looking coin! I see what others are talking about, but I'll be on the optimistic side... I think it's just a bagmark. No biggie. And yes, it does look like an MS63-64 or so. Post some pics once you get it in hand! Congratulations!
Now I'm worried I'll tell you all that I paid $275 for it. I'll be fully satisfied if it grades ms60 or higher. The guy offers a return policy so I'm wondering if I should even tell him to send it. I really like the coin but I do plan to flip it once graded. I love looking at coins on ebay and finding one that I think looks great. I didn't even know there was such a thing a graffiti. My own ignorance I guess. If someone wanted to truly initial it wouldn't they make it more distinct? I wrote the seller and asked him to take a look at it. I look at those pics and tell myself how big they are relative to how small the actual coin is. That scratch or whatever it is may not even be visible to the naked eye. What do you think...should I tell him not to send it and hope for another one to come out at that price?
You'll never know for sure unless you do send it in for grading. As for you going ahead and buying it without it being graded let me say this. At that asking price - I would have to say that the seller knows there is something wrong with the coin or he would asking a whole lot more. Given that - I wouldn't buy it.
I just got my 1915 back from ANACS AU-58 (pic taken before it was slabbed)... best I could hope for really.
