Attribute This

Now another High detail problem coin I picked up.


The seller says it is a metal detector find. It looks like it might have been coated or silvered. I'm hoping it is something which has protected the coin and some or all of the corrosion is actually a layer that can be removed like old varnish.

I'm not too familiar with dug coins or whether that can be properly cleaned or not. If it's truly corrosion, I know nothing will help the damage already done. The best that can be done is to stop it. But if it's a protective layer, who knows?

Any opinions?

 

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I think that it was a metal detecting find that has too much direct blue light. It will look brown-ish when it arrives.

But I like it! Reminds me of mine.

 

That's a really nice S-237. I hope mine comes out close. Did you treat it to get it where it is now or did you receive it this way?

I generally soak it to remove hardened dust, let it dry and then coat with my last few drops of Blue Ribbon.

ps I've now determined the Die State is V with clash marks from dentils through 100 and ICA as well as the die crack at the nose of State IV.

 

The seller had it at VF details and sold it for $50. Someone took a clean EF/AU coin and dumped acid on the obverse, and then proceded to scratch it up. That is how I received it.

 

I guess I'm starting a second type of set. High detail problem Coins to go with my rare low grade problem coins.

I hate the damage, but it makes them affordable.

 

Back to the basic collection.

Just picked this up:


Hint! The obverse is confusing and misleading, but the reverse is rock solid to identify it. It's the second of this variety I've picked up. They seem to come in pairs for me.

 

S-147

 

Is this a CUD or a shadow/reflection of the holder? I estimate about a $300 question. (unique die state premium)

I originally thought it was a CUD, but cannot find any prior mention of such a CUD for this die. This is an S-84. This is an unusual reverse used on two different types as well as years and skips a year. It is Sheldon Rev B of 1796 used on S-82, S-83 and S-84 Liberty Caps and again used as Sheldon Reverse K of 1798 on the S-156 Draped Bust.

If this were a CUD, it would indicate the last of the S-84s was struck after the S-156s which is possible. but unlikely since they are on different planchet sizes as well.

 

If you mean above and left of the O in OF that looks to me like a rim bruise.

And the 96 caps and 1798 cents should be on the same size planchets

 

Oops! Brain lapse on the planchets.

But I was looking above the F AM at what appeared to be an elongated rim break CUD. I agree with rim bruise above O.

But it really doesn't make sense. It's the down side of not being able to see the coin in the copper.

 

Note. Upon arrival, the "missing" stem in the photo IS visible in the copper. So the last piece of the puzzle falls nicely into place.

 

It didn't take me long to get over finding that S-208 that I thought was a S-202.

While ugly to some, this is a nice addition because I love terminal die states.

 

I'll be the first to attribute environmental damage.

 

Not to mention intentional human damage...

 

I think that is a shadow from the prong. Note the glare spot on the slab that shows you where the light is coming from. That would cause the edge of the prong to throw a shadow right about there.

 

I think you are right. The size and location are just too convenient to match the prong that closely.

 

You nailed it. It arrived bronze in color with exceptional detail. Unfortunately, the problem ares were corrosion and not a protective layer. At least this high grade problem coin wasn't CLEANED like my other one.

 

Is this good enough to identify or is the coin or photo insufficient? It is unlikely to be what I came up with. I appreciate your attributions to see what others see.

 

Not much to work with and no picture of the reverse, first approximation I coin up with after a quick flip through the book is 127

 

This is another one where I see something different every time I look at a different area of the coin. The S-127 looks right for L I B spacing, The S-138 looks right at the date, and the S-139 looks right at the second hair peak (sharper peak) and distance and position from JHF to T(Y). I'm solid on the reverse, but the obverse just doesn't seem to match up for me.

I'm attempting to avoid wish attribution. But the obverse of the coin may be too far gone to claim a new mule or new obverse die.