hone your grading skills -- draped bust half dollar (v2)

I'm thinking that it is in a VF-25 holder.

Very nice piece!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I'd say VF-20.

What's the answer?

 

PCGS graded the coin VF 20.

Here are my completely subjective thoughts on the coin:

This coin, in hand, is a stunner. Even more attractive than the pictures suggest. The color is more vivid, and the overal toning a touch darker than the photos suggest, and there is just a hint of luster remaining in the more protected areas. My first thought, upon seeing the coin in-hand was "wow" -- always a good sign. Upon closer inspection, a few old ticks and taps and an old scratch or two are present, but they don't bother me in the least given the grade (VF) and overall look.

To me, this is a good example of a market graded coin. The coin seems to me to have Fine details that got the upgrade to low-end VF for nice surfaces and toning.

I paid strong VF money for the coin -- actually more money for a lower grade (20 -vs- 35) than the last example was offered at -- and had no problem spending for what I consider to be a beautiful example of the type. Having limited experience collecting early type coins that aren't copper, I am a bit concerned that I might have overpaid, but I purchased it from a dealer (Coin Rarities Online) that stands behind their coins and in the event I decide on a nicer specimen, I am sure that I will be able to get at least 90% of my purchase price back (unless there's a crash in the market). Here's how they described the coin:

Overton-109 variety, considered to be Rarity-3. A resoundingly original piece with rich peripheral toning fading to classic coin-gray centers. This is what a circulated Draped Bust silver coin is supposed to look like.

Thanks to everyone for their guess and comments, I appreciate them, and hope you enjoyed it too....Mike

 

That is a gorgeous coin. :thumb: VF25

 

Mike, you say you paid strong VF money for the coin.I don't know what guide you are going by but I have recently started collecting Capped Bust Halfs and have found that when it comes to nice coins like this one, You can throw away all the price guides as they will bring 40 to 60 percent more than gray sheet or PCGS guides. And as the rarety rating for varieties goes up the premium goes up. So if you paid VF money for it,you probably got a good deal.
Just my Thoughts and congratulations on a Nice Coin.

 

Stacks graded it F-15:

http://www.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lrid=AN00075575

 

I would have said F12, but what a beauty. I can see why it was VF20 by PCGS.

 

nice coin mike! :kewl: