GTG 1892 Barber 25c - My first slabbed coin

As the title says this is my first slabbed coin and I'm pretty happy with the purchase. Would love to hear the groups thought on grade, guess away! Photos are from the seller

 

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AU-55

 

Is the obv scratch, north/south across the cheek and neck on the slab or the coin?

 

I thought it looked to be on the slab. I do not have the coin in hand yet, just bought it last night.

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I have one in the same grade, but with less hairlines, and I called it AU details, cleaned.

 

MS-62

 

MS details cleaned

 

Interesting guesses so far...keep going! I'll reveal once a few more have commented.

 

Don't know about grade but still a nice looking high grade coin.

 

AU details, cleaned. Still would fit very nicely in my set.

 

Alright well thanks everyone for your guesses! Close enough to lunch time for most so here are the results.... @ldhair is the winner!

Any guesses on what I paid, or what you would pay?

A few of you guessed it was cleaned but as you can see it is in a problem-free holder. I'd like to hear why some of you think it's cleaned. The images appear to show a good amount of luster remaining and strong strike. I don't have the coin in hand yet but based on the images do you think there is any chance for an upgrade? PCGS only has a $25 difference between AU53 and AU55, MS62 would put it at $350 but I think that's a stretch.

Either way I'm happy with the purchase, I managed to sell off my Harry Truman Coin and Chronicles set to purchase this, an 1875-S 20c, and some toner Washington's.

 

It's a nice looking Barber Quarter. It's an FS-301 Repunched Date and Trippled Die Obverse. It should be an interesting one to examine when you get it in hand.

 

I did notice the re-punched date but from the pictures could not identify the TDO. Unfortunately varietyplus does not have any images of FS-301. I'll take some better shots when I get it. Off hand what would this premium bring? I couldn't find any related listings on ebay, only an AU55 FS-801 asking $240.00.

 

The FS-301 is going to be removed from the Cherrypickers' Guide in the next edition because of the low interest factor. The TDO is very minor and only visible on AU and Unc. coins. I don't think it would really have much of a premium, but it can add to an interest factor to someone interested in buying it in the future.

 

Yeah I just found a few other resources indicating FS-301 is fairly common variety with little premium. I didn't buy this for the variety so I'm still happy. In your opinion, would this have a chance at upgrading a few points or do some of the hairlines risk it being in a details holder?

 

From the images, I think it's properly graded. The drawback to this particular coin is that it was dipped. In my opinion MS coins that have been dipped are a little more acceptable than lightly circulated examples such as this one. Neither would be original of course, but a dipped AU really loses eye appeal in my opinion. That's because the luster breaks become so much more apparent along with the hairlines that are accumulated through circulation. Please don't take this as me calling the coin a dog, which I certainly don't think it is.

I think this will be a good learning piece for you. Once you get it in hand, ignore everything else that you have heard and just look the coin over. Ask yourself what do I like about it and then ask what do I not like about it. This will help you with your purchasing decisions in the future.

I remember shopping around for my first slabbed coin. I wanted to get something so badly but I couldn't figure out what I wanted. I finally stopped trying to buy the coin and let the coin choose me. It's hard to describe it, but you know it when it happens. It's very difficult for this to happen when looking at coins online. My first slabbed coin was bought from a gentleman at a coin club meeting. The coin just spoke to me and I knew I had to take it home.

So keep having fun and enjoy this hobby. You may make purchases that you like in the moment and then change your mind on shortly afterwards, this is fine. You will find that your tastes will more than likely evolve over time.

 

That does not mean it has not been cleaned. I think it got net-graded down from AU-58 territory.

 

Because it's basically white everywhere, no color/peripheral toning and there could be more luster for the grade. It appears to have a couple of hairlines and that's why I would have guessed AU details too. It's still a very nice coin and apparently PCGS saw enough remaining luster to keep it out of a bodybag...

 

Thanks everyone for the opinions and feedback!

@jtlee321 I can see what you are saying at about the luster breaks, the hairlines I spotted but wasn't bothered by them. This piece will absolutely be treated at a learning piece. As I get more serious with collecting I would like to improve not only my grading skills but also at identifying sometimes hidden issues such as these. The goal is to pick out a perfect problem free example right (if it exists)?

Purchasing a slabbed coin was definitely an itch I had to scratch. I can't say that I was deliberately looking for this coin, I was just browsing around Barber quarters because I wanted to upgrade my example. To be honest I really do like the coin, it did pop out at me, and have no regrets on purchasing it either way. Yes, it's not exactly perfect but for $133 shipped I couldn't say no. I'm happy with it in the pictures so I'm sure I'll be happy with it in person. Might I ask what your first slabbed coin purchase was?

@TypeCoin971793 That's a good point, my first impression was it had some pop for the grade. This could be why.

@micbraun So would you say the hairlines stand out a little more than the effect of a dipping? I'm still happy overall, the real tell will be when I get it in hand!