Any input on the grade would be much appreciated! Here are some close-ups under light. In-hand, the surfaces look more smooth and natural as does the color. I've included some iPhone pictures in-hand to give at least a general idea of the difference, as well as a close-up of some slight damage at 4 o'clock on the reverse (slightly rotated die). Thank you to all in advance!
Looks a solid VG to me. Yes, there are some surface issues, but these are par for the course on US copper from this era. I personally find this to be a pleasing enough example for the grade, despite the minor issues.
Thank you- that is what I was hoping to hear! I'm considering submitting it for grading through my dealer but I've never done so before. I paid $50 shipped so it seemed like it might not be a bad idea if there's confidence that it will straight grade.
I can't really swear it would straight-grade, but then again, I can't really say it wouldn't, either. I'd give it 50-50 odds, at a guess. But as a $50 coin, it's not really worth the expense of submitting to a TPG anyway. However, if you ask me, it's an ideal type coin for a raw album set like the ever-popular Dansco 7070. Looks like a solid buy at $50, IMHO. Others may differ.
I didn't know they made the 7070... that's just what I need. I'm about 85% there but great to know they make an album I can transfer to when I complete it. The dealer just took a look at the half cent and was impressed- they have a comparable 1807 for $120 so I feel good about the buy. Slabbing it would be more for preservation than anything but I dig the type album idea. Thanks for the heads up.
Yes, it does skate the boundary between enviro damage and acceptability Both, actually. It is enviro-damaged but I do find it acceptable for a Dansco 7070 album. Not a slab. @Lunchbox John - you totally should look into getting a 7070. That's the way to go for material like this, and very fun to work on. I daresay there's a fairly sizeable "7070 Club" out there, whether it has actively organized yet or not.
Great information! Thanks. Yeah, that 7070 is my cup of tea for sure. I think the braided half cent may be a bit spendy to find a decent example of but I'll take my time. The close pictures are pretty bad under that light... Here's a no frills shot I just took that looks more like it. Thanks for all the input!
Man, you sure got me thinking! That looks like such a fun set to collect. If I sold my incomplete Indian album and slabbed MS roosevelt collection I would be rolling right along combined with what I have. Looks daunting but at least I could actually stand to complete it unlike the Indians which I'm not sure my budget (or wife) will ever allow. Decisions....
It would be pretty educational, and the nice thing about becoming a type collector versus a date-and-mint collector is that your set is automatically diversified, and (if you ask me) a type set is always more interesting to look at than an album full of coins that are all the same type. You'll find the Seated and Trade dollars, the two earlier large cent types and the Reeded Edge Bust half the most challenging. But it would broaden your horizons.
I saw this one on eBay that looks pretty darn close. There's a local certified grader known for being about as bang-on as you can get for pre-grading. I'll bring mine along next time we meet and report back the result in case anyone is interested. I'm particularly curious what level of environmental damage is acceptable for a straight grade on these old cents and how they determine it. Very happy with the coin regardless.. just trying to educate myself.
I agree with G-4 details. More importantly though, when did we get another audiophile gear head here? I have a bunch of your same gear. I use the API lunchbox, Appogee converters, Manley pres, Running PT 10 and a Neve 88D console. It's sitting unused at the moment though.
Right on! Heh. You're the first I've run into who is into both. I was actually just thinking about how the empty spaces in my lunchbox from a recent sale remind me of empty coin album slots. They just eat at me til' I fill them. An unused Neve is a sad thought... did she break?
I know right, I paid more for that board than my first house, but don't worry, the Neve is fine and so is the rest of it. I had to close the studio a while back because I lost my lease. They cleared out a neighborhood to construct the new VA hospital. I'm going to try and get it open again, but I probably won't get to run it much once it's open. Just not enough spare time to devote to it and not enough money in it to quit my regular job. For now I just have an obscenely over the top surround sound system in my living room and a ridiculously loud PA for Mardi Gras.
