so i bought this coin and i think i got a pretty good deal i was wondering what i could get for it maybe from a dealer and then from an auction type setting. The coin is a 1909-s indian head cent graded by ngc vf details with environmental damage. thanks for any input
Environmental damage does not mean the coin is corroded. It would be labeled as "Corroded" on the slab if it were corroded. "Environmental Damage" is a slab label all its own. It usually is used in a situation when a coin as some surface alteration that was done by nature (such as one that was dug up out of the ground by a metal detector), not by human. -Brian
i personally don't think the damage is that bad but anyways i'll hold off on telling how much i paid untill someone can tell me what it may be worth
hmm i actually found a recent auction same grade and damage sold for $415 and the coin looked pretty bad compared to the one i bought imo
An auction would net you more, but not a guarantee. If you saw an aution around $400 then a dealer might offer half of that. Without seeing the coin really hard to say. Then if you got $415, figure auction fee's etc and maybe you get between $300 to $350. All of this is speculation on my part.
sorry for being so late on the pics but here they are ... and sorry about the reflections http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx131/jon4485/CIMG2408.jpg http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx131/jon4485/CIMG2410.jpg
Actually, NGC considers "environmental effects" to be bronze disease (mostly for ancients), corrosion, environmental damage and stains. Surface alteration is for coins that have been treated with chemicals, heat, or fillers. Artificial toning also falls under surface alteration. PCGS uses "environmental damage" code 97 for corrosion. This IHC has damage on the lower obverse from verdigris or PVC. It doesn't look to bad, IMO. If it were another 100 years old it might have cleanly graded. Lance.
Well I can tell you that I recently purchased a 1909 S Indian Cent graded VF-25 (PCGS, problem free) for $580. Your coin didn't slab problem free and that will severely impact its resale value but, I must admit, it looks like a pretty decent coin. I'll guess that in an Ebay auction it might fetch $400. You might actually get more for it if you bust it out of the slab and sell it raw but to do so and not disclose the reported "environmental damage" would be dishonest.
IMO key and semi-key dates, like this '09-S IHC, will fetch more in "genuine" or "details" holders than raw. Counterfeits abound. Did you get a good deal? That depends on what you paid and if you like it. The corrosion seems pretty minor, though the photo is fuzzy. I could see this selling for 50-60% of a problem free '09-S...let's say $300-400. I also think the coin is borderline XF40 details. Lance.
Did it go through NCS while being slabbed? Is there any way to tell? I might be tempted to send it to them and let them see if they could do anything with it.
You can't fix corrosion. The damage to the surface is done. Some of the green residue may come off but the pitting is forever. The PVC or verdigris does not appear active so it will likely get no worse. I don't think NCS will do much for it and it's probably not worth the money. Collectors of large cents accept that old copper often has problems, not just because it is old but because of the poor quality of planchets during the Mint's early days. If you love copper you tolerate flaws sometimes. Lance.
