I'm a newbie. I recently got a digital camera and DSL connection. For some reason this caused me to become obsessed with my old coin collection. My wife hates me. Anyway, I'm wondering what grade you folks might give this coin. I know it's worth a fair amount, so the difference is substantial from one grade to the next. Pictures can be deceiving too - this coin really shines in person. Any suggestions for a better digital shot also appreciated. I realize grading is tough to do over the internet; I'm just looking for a ballpark. Every coin has a story! My grandfather was head librarian at the Chicago tribune library back in the 1940's, and his predecessor had people all over the world who sent him coins. The coins kept coming after this man died, and my grandfather kept up the connections. When I was 10 or 11 years old he put them all in a pile and his 5 grandchildren took turns picking coins. I've had these for over 30 years now. It's too bad we were so young because we used to clink them around a bit before I put them into protectors. Oh well. Thanks for the input!
I would very conservatively grade it as AU-50 but it could be MS-60. I'm not really confident when we get that high.The value would be $1,000. to $1250. CDN in those grades.
The obverse has too many marks to qualify as anything but the very lowest uncirculated grade IMHO, especially with that very distracting gouge in the cheek. I'm not familiar enough with the coin to say for sure, but the lack of sharp detail on the reverse device probably indicates a fairly weak strike, as there don't appear to me to be any signs of wear on the obverse. Net grade? Maybe AU50, which the 2005 Krause values at $500 (mintage only 18,780), not bad considering the source . Of course it's listed at $600 in MS60 and $900 in MS63.
I have taken my values from the trends section of Canadian Coin News. Trends reflects retail prices in Canada.This is a VERY desirable coin for any Canadian coin collector.Dollars are not my area of interest but I do have a few.This one,however,in any grade is way over my head.
Thank you so much for the input. Just for grins here's a couple more photos. Makes it look like a gold coin; the digicam did that on its own under desk lamp lighting. But I think these show a little more luster. I saw an NGC MS62 out there that looked to have just as many dings as this one (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3383&item=3919200517&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V) but certainly it is probably impossible for you folks to go into the MS grades just from amateur photos. When I get the camera thing figured out maybe I'll post the 50 cent for the 1948 as well. Thanks again.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't know anything about photography, but it seems that coins always photograph better when they're taken out of their holders.
