So similar format to another set of quizzes buzzing around here. One difference is I don't really know that much about coins and condition, yet, but am willing to learn. I am pretty sure what the horizontal lines in the fields between the 3 pillars on the reverse of this 3 Cent silver are, but do the other non-experts? First set of pictures have the contrast and brightness bumped a bit to make the toning come out. Second set have no edits other than cropping. This should be pretty easy and maybe intermediate level identification? Maybe the more expert among you all could opine on how the stars at the bottom of the reverse are more defined than those at the top? Thanks in advance.
1/ Looks like a clash of the top of the shield from OBV. 2/ Possibly a tilted die or planchet not seated properly in the collar giving less pressure in the strike on that part, it's weaker there on OBV as well, IMO
I believe the three of us are in agreement on the reverse clash. For the weak strike that seems reasonable @expat considering the bottom of the reverse is the opposite to the top of the obverse and vice versa. So how could wear happen on one side of the coin in both those spots, but not on both spots on both sides? I am not sure of the process that would give a solid strike on the date but on the reverse opposite the date would be weak?
Answer - misaligned dies. Close examination of the rim on both sides of the coin explains it. It's easy to see in your minds eye once you look at and it picture it in the right way - 12 o'clock on the obv matching up with 6 on the rev. The rim of the obv is weak at 12, while its opposing point the rim at 6 on the rev is strong. And the rim of the obv at 6 is strong while its opposing point the rim of the rev at 12 is weak. It also appears that the planchet might have been a little bit thin from 8 o'clock to 10. This is indicated by the weakness of the legends on the obv and the weakness of the stars on the rev, and slight weakness of the rim on both sides, at that location.
agree with the die clashes. weak stars are very common in this series; in fact Bowers has written that he has never seen a complete set of MS 3 cent silvers with all stars fully struck.
For future reference Razz, to see it and understand it, picture in your minds eye that dies have to be perfectly aligned with each other on all axes and in all 3 dimensions to be in correct alignment. One die, slightly tilted in any direction or dimension, or both dies slightly tilted in any direction or dimension, will result in coins similar to what you see with the coin in question. And of course there are an endless number of variables possible with misaligned dies.
Thanks Doug! A question that naturally arises is the evaluation from a condition standpoint. This must be one that is a bit more difficult to grade, but would one try to grade from the better struck areas? Would this be XF or low AU?
Geeeez Razz - you SURE you wanna ask me about grades ? Me ??? Around here there's some who'd say that's like opening a can of worms so big that it had to be hauled in on a semi !
Not really. At least not if you use ANA grading standards like I do. That's because they count everything, take everything into account. No, because everything has to count. Simple answer, low XF, there's simply too much wear on the coin to call it anything else.
I like the coin, 1st year of Civil War, good obverse strike, and not cleaned or dipped to death. A nice example!
