My 71 yr old dad bought this 2 cent coin for me today at my LCS. I really like it and it already means a lot to me. What are your thoughts on grading and conservation of the coin? I have no intentions of selling the coin but hope to pass it on to my boys one day. Sorry for the poor photos. Thank you
It's a very nice brown "plain 5" example. It's in fairly good condition- somewhere between XF-40 to AU-50 in my opinion, so it's probably worth about $65 to $75. You have to also keep in mind that the cost of grading (depending on the company) can range anywhere from $15 to $40 and even more for different types of holders. If I were to have it graded, I would send it to ANACS because they are the cheapest yet still the third best third-party grading service. You also do not need to send in a minimum amount of coins like PCGS or NGC. You also need to think about profit. If it is graded, it will be more desired by collectors. Hope this was helpful and good luck!
Everyone has an opinion ... everyone also has dirty socs. In many instances ... they smell the same. I'm pointing that out because I'm gonna give you my opinion too ... No better or less than anyone else. I "collect", I don't buy to sell or add to my collection with any intentions of using it as an investment tool. For the last couple of years I'm seeing way too many people interested in having coins graded. I think the cheapest you'll find for 1 coin is $19 +shpg and insurance both ways. Is getting your 1 coin graded worth that payment? Now on the other hand ... you can just purchase a capsule or a slab for a couple of $$ that will protect your coin nicely for you to have and enjoy. I've got a serious collection for a beginner. I've never spent the $$ sending anything out to get graded. Your coin your decision. That's why restaurants have menus. Everyone gets their choice.
If your intent to to keep it in the family for future generations, then I am all for slabbing the coin. It will be protected from unintentional damage. And better yet, future generations that may not be schooled in numismatics and would appreciate the attribution....... I seldom believe in slabbing a coin for monetary gain. I always applaud slabbing them for future generations.
http://www.coinsupplyplanet.com/coin-slabs/ https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/everslab-coin-holders-lighthouse/ Any decent coin stores should carry these. You should be able to buy these individually. You should also be able to get capsules or 2x2 plastic holders if you like those instead.
You may want to get the green verdigris off of it. If you can get Methylene chloride, it works best, but Acetone (high grade/purity) should work without hurting it. Be sure to roll a Q-tip over it - no rubbing.
I only use Methylene chloride or Chloroform. Works every time. Acetone can change the color - especially with copper coins. In the condition it is in, Acetone will be fine, then rinse with 91% Isopropyl alcohol (Rubbing alcohol), and blot dry with a cotton cloth. Do not rub or use paper. As I said, put the CLEAN Q-tip in the solvent and roll it and repeat until the Q-tip doesn't show green any more. Do not put a dirty Q-tip into the solvent, or you contaminate the rest. This is what the guys at NGC or PCGS would do. I have a B.S. in Chemistry, and have done this for 30+ years.
Hey Finn..... Will that verdigris above the tips of the wheat stocks continue to spread if it is not mitigated?
That's a very good point. You could get a Lighthouse slab and it would protect it well, however, grading does increase the value a little bit, but usually I will only send in coins that are at least worth over $100.
I guess my way of thinking is a little different. I'm very young, still in middle school, and my collection is both for enjoyment as well as to help with college. So I often consider monetary value to be a very important factor when deciding to send a coin off.
Honestly, it would be better for it to be done professionally because you could easily damage the coin or detract value in some other way. This is why I never clean or conserve coins. But you know, watch a youtube video on coin conservation and see what you think before you jump into it.
I prefer raw coins but if I were to grade a coin, it would be for an attribution, or grade for coin that is higher-end, for me-$800 and up. The coin in this thread in AU58, sold for $65 to $105, and well below $200 in MS62, on eBay. By the time you add the cost of the coin to the grading costs (slabbing, shipping both ways, insurance), how can a collector justify slabbing it? This is especially the case since airtites and other holders offer long-term storage options for a coin you want to protect, after some conservation efforts, of course.
I hear what you’re saying, but as a new collector I will not attempt any conservation to a coin. I figure if I’m going to send it for conservation, I might as well have it slabbed also. Thank you for all the advice folks
