I've never sent off a coin for grading, but I'm wanting to do it for this Flying Eagle Cent. I grade it as EF45 (possibly AU?). My main concern is the scratch at the beak. Opinions?
I might be seeing an old cleaning on the obverse. Personally don't think it would be worth slabbing either way.
I interpret the images as having been taken with the lighting too harsh and that the coin has not been cleaned. However, it is also a coin that I believe is not worth the investment of funds that would be required to have it graded.
Tom, as usual, says what I was going to say better than I could say it. I'd probably say something like: Will it grade? Probably. Is it worth it? Not by my calculation. As an aside, circulated copper (and CuNi) look odd when you "flash" them, as was done by the OP when he took the photo. That's what Tom, I believe, was referring to when he said "harsh". And here's a photography hint: Most coins look better under the lens if you "almost but don't quite" "flash" them...if that makes sense. It tends to bring out the luster and color in a coin. Hope this helps...Mike p.s. The scratch at the beak looks dull and old. It doesn't bother me at this grade. If it were "shiny" in hand (i.e. "new looking"), then it might be a problem, but it doesn't appear so in the photos.
