Anybody experienced in grading 19th century mexican coins? 1891 8 reales

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Artillery87, Oct 11, 2022.

  1. Artillery87

    Artillery87 Active Member

    I got an 1891 8 reales mexican coin CnAM mint. It seems to have a round raised line on the obverse near the top of the rays (possibly a die crack/break?) The devices seem to have slightly stronger luster than the fields. There are what appear to me to be hairlines. I have seen these 8 reales coins that have mint state grades that look as if they have similiar hairlines/marks than mine. My knowledge from American coins would make me think its been cleaned but I was wondering if these were minted/handled differently than american coins? I'm hoping to encounter someone more familiar with Mexican coinage from this era. Just curious why I I have seen mint state 8 reales that would definetley be labeled as cleaned if american. Maybe the dies were not cared for as well as american coins giving it that rough appearance? I have no clue, enlighten me! Thanks for looking!
     

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  3. mrweaseluv

    mrweaseluv Supporter! Supporter

    I'm no expert on these so I looked for a comparison piece and found one ms65 on ebay... comparing the 2 closely... they DON'T match... and I'm not just talking about the mint marks... possibly different dies at different locations might have had the minor differences i've noted... it matches neither of the 2 of the same date I found. I hope I'm wrong but I would be more concerned yours was genuine then what it would grade. Here is one of the 2 I found for comparison (the pics on this one are very good) feather details especially on the legs do not match
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2346663929...sHZi_OgJ0_PBZ7PAoBUQcbextmx2kHwRoCk9cQAvD_BwE
     
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  4. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    Die polish. And handling
     
  5. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I can't see the tell tale lines that this coin has been cleaned. To me it is a Mint State coin with some handling marks indicative of a grades like MS-63 or 62. If the circular line through the rays is raised, it is either a die crack, die scratch or die polishing mark which was imprinted on the coin when it was struck.

    The coin has most definitely been dipped, and the original mint surfaces, which are on the MS-65 graded piece, are gone. The MS-65 is a better preserved coin. I am guessing that such high grade coins are very scarce and therefore command the high asking price.
     
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  6. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    As suggested above they are definitely die scratches, and if you look closely you can see that there are 3 individual die scratches.

    upload_2022-10-12_9-45-53.png


    They are light, post strike scratches on the coin itself. And I see absolutely nothing that indicates the coin has been harshly/improperly cleaned. I would also agree that the coin is MS.

    The coin does suffer from excessive wear on the obv die. This is easily seen around the outer edges above legends.
     
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  7. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    That’s a nice looking coin. I’m personally afraid of buying 19th century and earlier Mexican coins raw and would recommend getting it into a slab. Even ANACS should give some peace of mind if you don’t want to pay for NGC or PCGS.
     
  8. Artillery87

    Artillery87 Active Member

    Yeah it's a pretty interesting coin IMO, kind of nice to step outside my comfort zone and learn something new. I don't have much in it so I am not very concerned if it has any problems, just wondering what I got. I might send it in with my next submission. All in all I am enjoying it.
     
  9. ZoidMeister

    ZoidMeister Hamlet Squire of Tomfoolery . . . . .

    Here's mine . . . . .

    Z


    IMG_1771.JPG IMG_1772.JPG
     
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