Grade of this 1925 Peace Dollar?

Bought it today. Dealer was making it seem like a good deal. Was it? (I'll post his given grade and my cost after I get some feedback.)

 

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I am sure the dealer said it was MS. It looks like an AU details coin to me--wear on the obverse, and lots of scratches that are not contact marks with other coins in storage. Looks cleaned.

 

I'll have to agree with MD as there is wear more easily seen on the eagle . Though the quality of the pictures is only good enough , at least for me , for a rough estimate . Though I'm not sure it would be detailed so I say AU-53 . IMHO

 

Look at the scratches (circular hairlines above the eagle on the reverse)--I see cleaning swirls).

 

Thanks guys.

So it's not an MS-60 (you were right, MD), and *definitely* not MS-63, and not worth $40, right?

 

If cleaned, it is worth melt.

 

Nope!! What did I say about buying slabbed coins, if you're not that familiar with coins in general, and grading?

 

I took it back. He swears that it is not cleaned. The other owner, too.

I prefer buying in-person and with cash and thought I could trust these guys now I don't know if they are dishonest or not very knowledgeable

 

What did we say about reputable dealers? You may pay more, but you will get a coin that has some value, as any esteemed dealer stands behind his/her merchandise. Raw coin buying for a newbie is risky--said that over and over again.

This one was on Ebay for $85. I'd rather get one nice coin that is authenticated for $80 than two dubious ones for $40 each:

 

I don't think harshly, Doug, but I do see swirls. There are also some shadows along the eagle that look like polish accumulation, unless I am seeing things.

 

My problem (or better yet, one of my many), is that I want to trust people. Especially in person.

I am slowly resigning myself to the fact that I may need to buy online, or buy slabbed, or both.

 

To quote Regan's popular phrase - Trust, but verify.

 

Good quote! That's why I posted here. ;-)

 

Not to be mean, but, this is incorrect. You can buy over graded slabbed coin's on line and in person. You have to learn to grade coin's if you want to get a 'fair market' price. Further, by learning to accurately grade, you can spot the coin's others have under graded and generally under priced.

 

I am compiling a list of "trustworthy" online dealers from my trade dollar hijinx. I was hoping that I could trust them while I learn how to grade.

I could trust heritage and davidlawrence, right?

 

I'd say yes , also Harlan Berks comes to mind .

 

I trust anyone who has not given reason to lose that trust. That said, I trust myself above all else. So, regardless of the seller, I do research. And, frankly, it's quite easy anymore. Take a coin you are interested in and start searching HA, eBay, etc.. You can find many graded coin images and look for pattern's if nothing else. Try counting the number of 'bag mark's" you can find on that MS63, look at a AU58 and find where you think you see wear, etc.

 

I would agree that David Lawrence, Berks, Heritage, and a few other large houses are in the top trustworthy category. I can also give links in a PM to folks of some other sellers who have been fantastic, and from whom I have bought for years.

Here are some of the PCGS authorized dealers from their website. Many of them are very good:
http://www.pcgs.com/dealers/

Please feel free to PM me for specifics.

Here is NGCs list. Some of them are very good. PM me if you want specifics, as I don't wish to violate the rules of the forum in commercial endorsements.

http://www.ngccoin.com/services/dealer-listing.aspx

 

There are a number of "Mom and Pop" brick and mortar (they also sell on Ebay and don't doctor their photos) that I could recommend. If you give me dealers in your area, I can say if I have done business with them and how they are. Several are so good that I'd recommend them with the "big boys" that have been mentioned.