Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;calcol, post: 3554089, member: 77639&quot;]Spotted this J-236 pattern half in a Heritage auction.&nbsp; It&#039;s a1859 Paquet design with Liberty seated with her hand on fasces on obverse and spread eagle reverse.&nbsp; This version was struck in copper, toned brown but with a beautiful blue overlay.&nbsp; Graded PR64BN by PCGS.</p><p><br /></p><p>The reverse appears to have significant scratches through the upper part of the ribbon and eagle&#039;s right wing and&nbsp; further down the ribbon and shield.&nbsp; See the pics.&nbsp; The zoomed-in view shows them clearly.</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m pretty sure they are grooves (scratches), not ridges, which means they were created on the coin post-striking as opposed to being struck with a scratched die.&nbsp; I suppose the planchet could have been altered pre-striking, somewhat similar to adjustment marks on early gold coins.&nbsp; Seems unlikely with a copper planchet.</p><p><br /></p><p>Coin is being sold without cataloger comments.&nbsp; I&#039;ve examined several J-236 coins sold in the past by Heritage, and none had anything like this.&nbsp; Weakness in striking the upper part of the ribbon is common.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, why was the coin straight-graded?&nbsp; Do patterns get a pass on scratches?</p><p><br /></p><p>Cal</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]944696[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]944697[/ATTACH] </p><p>[ATTACH=full]944698[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in