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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Tom B, post: 1987993, member: 11854&quot;]There are active threads on the CT boards that touch upon, at least partially, eye appeal for circulated coinage, the utility of CAC for certain grade ranges and what constitutes a problem or problem-free coin.&nbsp; All of these are topics that I have discussed with others in the past, both at shows and via email, and some of these topics I have no doubt discussed within threads, too.&nbsp; I’ve been involved in the niche of classic coinage for many years and for the last five years or so have made being a numismatist and numismatic photographer my full-time profession.&nbsp; However, this article is written along the lines of a collector who has years of experience and who might have some buying discipline.&nbsp; The article is written this way because the pieces shared are coins that reside in my collection and that will not be placed into my inventory.&nbsp; I have been a collector for more than two decades, my collection has approximately 80-coins in it and is comprised of perhaps 25% circulated type, 25% wildly toned Washington quarters and 50% superb mint state or proof type.</p><p><br /></p><p>Below are a half-dozen coins along with their grades and comments.&nbsp; Many of these coins I have written about in previous threads and quite a few have had their images shared as well.&nbsp; In this thread I will simply state that I think all have positive eye appeal, all are accurately imaged and might go further on a coin-by-coin basis.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1806 Draped Bust Quarter PCGS AU53/CAC</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/23/239107/TBCRH1806P53.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>I believe this coin has wonderful eye appeal, but the broader market likely does not appreciate this look quite so much.&nbsp; Take some time to study most AU Draped Bust pieces and find out that, over time, a great number of them have been brightened, cleaned or otherwise spiffed up at least once.&nbsp; The coin is dark and has good remaining luster under the gunk, especially on the reverse.&nbsp; It also has some shallow scratches and digs, but it is a circulated coin and circulated coins saw use and abuse.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1897-S Barber Quarter PCGS VF30/CAC</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/23/239107/TBCRH1897SP30.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>The coin appears to be graded slightly optimistic to me, but it is a VF nonetheless.&nbsp; The surfaces are actually fairly nice considering the level of wear, but the retained spots of gunk and debris have been known to displease some folks who look at the piece.&nbsp; In my opinion, the debris is piled up exactly where it should be; all bumped up and accumulated against the raised devices that are difficult to access.&nbsp; This isn’t a coin for everyone yet I think it pretty darn wonderful.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1817/3 Capped Bust Half Dollar NGC EF45/CAC</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/23/239107/TBCRI1817N45.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>I like to think of this coin as retained dirt gone wild.&nbsp; The gunk is thick and the luster is obvious all around the protected design areas.&nbsp; To me, this is the epitome of gunk, but unfortunately the larger market does not always value this appearance.&nbsp; I have had more than one dealer beg me to sell the coin to him with the plan being to remove the dirt, brighten the coin and make the luster more apparent under a whiter skin.&nbsp; The objective, of course, is to get the coin into an AU holder and multiple dealers have told me that there is an AU53 under the skin of this coin if only I would allow them to “work” the coin to the grade.&nbsp; That won’t happen while I have any say in the matter, but at some point this coin will again enter the marketplace and we might lose the skin.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1838 Reeded Edge Half Dollar PCGS AU55/CAC (Gold CAC)</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/23/239107/TBCRI1838P55A.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Another coin with filth all over it, albeit more colorful filth over parts of the coin.&nbsp; I agree with the CAC opinion that this coin is nice than an AU55, but I understand that the TPGs do not always give a higher AU grade to coins that have luster beneath thick skin.&nbsp; That’s just the way it is and most folks have no issue with how the TPGs grade these coins.&nbsp; Reeded Edge half dollars are my favorite series, which should not be a surprise to some here, and I have many examples salted away.&nbsp; This coin, though, has always spoken to me.&nbsp; Not surprisingly, many folks do not like the eye appeal of this piece and would not buy it for their collections; that’s okay.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar PCGS EF40/CAC</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/23/239107/TBCRI1883P40.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>There’s a whole bunch of deep patina on this coin!&nbsp; Lots of Hawaiian coinage can be found with unusually deep color and I think this can be at least partially attributed to the climate of the island chain.&nbsp; Still, this coin is remarkable for the smoothness of color.&nbsp; It’s also one of those pieces where I get opinions of either love or hate from those who see it in-hand.&nbsp; It’s simply too dark for the tastes of quite a few collectors and is so dark that it would not be a great candidate to lighten up for dealers who might want to flip it for a quick profit.&nbsp; In my opinion, it’s a great coin.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1893-S Barber Half Dollar PCGS EF40/CAC</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/23/239107/TBCRI1893SP40.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Hmmm…when does a problem-free coin become a problem coin?&nbsp; This coin might be a good test case for folks to think about regarding future purchases.&nbsp; The surfaces are original and are a delightful shade of medium grey that is peppered with flakes of dirt and hiding patches of surviving luster.&nbsp; Of course, the reverse has a fairly decent sized scratch going through the viewer’s left side of the shield in a vertical manner up through the top of the shield and into the eagle’s neck.&nbsp; It can actually be an easy thing to miss since it goes through a busy portion of the design, it is not horrific in depth and it is quite old with the same patina as the remainder of the coin.&nbsp; However, it is still there.&nbsp; Should this coin be labeled as scratched?&nbsp; Should CAC have been bothered enough by it to reject the coin?&nbsp; These are fair questions.&nbsp; I love the coin and purchased it raw for VF <i>Greysheet</i> bid because the dealer who owned it called it damaged.&nbsp; I disagreed, but we were both happy with the transaction.</p><p><br /></p><p>I wanted to share these coins today because they are examples of circulated type that can be apparently original, yet that need not have the same look.&nbsp; They are also examples of coins that might be cherished even if they have spots, milling marks, retained dirt or the occasional scratch.&nbsp; They performed their intended service to the country and were somehow withdrawn from circulation to begin a journey where they were less abused than many other coins that were saved by collectors.&nbsp; Some of these pieces might also be a cautionary tale, or at least a warning, about how the loss of surfaces over the years can be driven by the twin dealer motivation of a quick profit and collector motivation of a certain aesthetic.</p><p><br /></p><p>I like the way these coins look and have long told collectors to avoid coins that do not make them happy.&nbsp; Unless you are confronted with a prohibitively rare die marriage or individual issue, the collector always has time on his/her side in order to search for the right piece.&nbsp; These coins are right for me.&nbsp; The addition of the CAC sticker may also be scoffed at by some, but I view the CAC process as a no-lose proposition for nice coins in today’s climate.&nbsp; Of course, the CAC process is so non-invasive that it can be masked by the removal of the sticker.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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