Looking for advice on a 1910-P Indian Head Gold Eagle

Many years ago my grandmother showed me one of these. When she passed, it went to my mother. Mom passed 5 yrs ago; but no one could locate the coin. Finally my father found a necklace a month or so ago, and hanging from it was the coin - which he sent to me. It was in a bezel which I was able to easily remove without damaging the coin. Its in really nice shape, I don't see any signs of circulation - all details are very clear. Unfortunately it seems its been highly polished. I thought it might be a proof strike (wouldn't that be nice), so I took it to the only coin dealer in the area and he said it wasn't. Then he told me to get it graded. I guess I'm wondering how a polished coin would grade out? Details - Cleaned? Considering how its been passed down, and ended in my possession I'm wondering if I should just have it graded/certified to preserve it. Obvisously I dont want to sell it (as a coin, or just for the gold). Thoughts? I don't know diddly about gold coins...other than they are gold

 

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Do you have a picture?

 

If ya don't know 'diddly', don't get it graded. And that ain't a put down, my friend. There are too many people out there in this hobby, that don't know diddly. and getting stuff graded. It only makes the grading services rich, not you my friend.

Family heirloom........leave it be in remembrance of your sweet departed Grandmother.

And like Randy posted above.....we'd love to see a picture.

 

Pictures would help but if it was in a bezel it would be considered damaged and worthy of being graded.

Having been my grandmother's and my mothers I would have left it in the bezel as jewelry.

 

Yes, same here! If it's polished, place it back in the bezel and wear it! At least that's what I would do.

 

...uh NOT worthy of being graded?

 

Its

Its kinda girly looking...lol.

 

Not the greatest pics by any means. I appreciate the input for sure. I'll have to dwell on this some more...

 

No it's not. The marks from the bezel would result in a lower grade.

With the pictures even without a bezel it's too worn to receive a decent grade. The high spots all shows signs of wear and the headdress is worn very smooth.

 

Since I've never seen one in person; its hard to tell. I think Granny/mom just polished the hell out of it. Being gold is so soft it may have just worn down from all the polishing? My overall thinking is preservation; if I put it back in its bezel its just going to sit here. Even my niece didn't want the necklace. I'm not concerned about a "good grade"; just to protect it from further wear. Its still worth its weight in gold. The mintage is just over 600K. In USACoinBook there are only 6 for sale. Ebay, about 40 (all mints) total.

 

Then place the coin in a 2 x 2 flip and tuck it away. The coin won't grade if it was polished so sending it in for grading would be a waste of money.

 

That's prob the direction I'll take, at least for now. Thanks!!

 

You're welcome and I think it's the best option at the present.

 

I would put it in an airtight holder so I could admire it from time to time.

 

You can have it mounted in a money clip by a good jeweler - that would be a more masculine choice and a handsome way to display mom's and grandma's half eagle:

 

Nice! At first I thought it was a belt buckle. Lol

 

Why not put it in a Lighthouse slab and then you can make a custom sentimental label for it.

 

I prefer the idea of it in a money clip. Otherwise since it has been cleaned / polished blow it out (eBay or shop) hopefully get melt.

 

I actually thought of that at one point...I like the idea. Gotta find a good way to make a decent label. Thanks.

 

LOL I never have money for a money clip (and I really dont want to sell it just yet).