Gold seems to be harder to grade than silver or clad coins. So... Can Y'all help me out with this one? This one had "UNC" written on the sleeve. After looking through the ANA Grading Standard, 6th ed, I couldn't decide what the grade should be. I'm stuck thinking MS-60, 61, or 62 at best. I used a 16x loupe, and it looked like a lot of smaller abraisions/dings/hits on the coin.But, I don't see any wear on the high points. I would appreciate any thoughts on what the grade is, and WHY (I am trying to learn, as I go. I am more concerned with a closer to accurate grade than I am with the value. The coin also has a die crack on the rev. I am assuming that this will take away from it's value - i.e., not a very desirable error for this coin.?.?.?.?
For grading purposes get yourself a 5x glass. The only time anything stronger is needed is to verify authenticity or check a variety. I'd say the coin is a '61. It has plenty of hits and looks to be pretty rough. But I don't see any wear. The die crack does not affect the grade at all until you move the highest grades.
Not at all ! In fact, a sharply-defined die crack is an indicator of a genuine coin. Transfer dies, made from genuine coins, will pick up the die crack from the host coin, but it will be mushy and poorly defined. Some folks find die cracks interesting. In some series, notably early Federal copper and silver, die states are collectible in and of themselves. Some folks will pay a premium for certain die states. This coin is very baggy. If it's mint state, it's MS60 or 61 at very best. Personally, I thought I saw a little rub in the bun and coronet. If it's a slider, I would call it AU53.
Thanks for the good info 900fine. What you say makes sense to me. I like the error aspect of the die crack, but assumed that collectors of gold would consider it to be more along the lines of a damaged coin. I agree with you and GDJMSP both that there are a lot of marks on it, but I really can't see any wear. I am not very experienced with gold, so maybe i'm just not seeing it right.
I was going to say counterfeit gold can have die cracks too...but I didn't know when they did they were more poorly defined because some of the details were lost from the transfer process, good stuff, thank you. Coin looks genuine to me.
