1838 Reeded Edge Bust half (w/grading poll)
lordmarcovan
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I laid up an esnipe on this one. It was one of those coins that I liked, but wasn't turning cartwheels over or anything. Looked nice enough for a bid, I figured, if I could get it at a reasonable price. And I think I did. Numismedia trend prices are $86 in F12 and $144 in VF20. The 2012 Red Book says $100 in F12 and $135 in VF20. I won it for mere pennies over the Numismedia Fine price.
And I think it's better than Fine. Look at the feather detail on the eagle. So... is it F15, or VF20? Better? Worse?
That's why I do these polls, aside from the fact they're kind of fun.
There looks as though there might be a tiny rim nick visible at 6:00 on the bottom of the reverse, but that doesn't look to be a major issue at all. And sure, the coin has some circulation marks. I think they are consistent with this grade level, and again, I see nothing there that seems particularly distracting to me. Does the coin look nice and original to you? It does to me. If there was any old cleaning, it was done very long ago, and it's definitely "market acceptable" in my book. I like this kind of grey color on my circ silver. While this isn't a real "black and white" CircCam (Circulation Cameo), it's got light CircCam contrast. And y'all know I'm all about the CircCams.
I think I did OK here, though of course as of this post I have yet to see the coin in hand. What say you?
Index of similar grading poll threads like this
And I think it's better than Fine. Look at the feather detail on the eagle. So... is it F15, or VF20? Better? Worse?
That's why I do these polls, aside from the fact they're kind of fun.
There looks as though there might be a tiny rim nick visible at 6:00 on the bottom of the reverse, but that doesn't look to be a major issue at all. And sure, the coin has some circulation marks. I think they are consistent with this grade level, and again, I see nothing there that seems particularly distracting to me. Does the coin look nice and original to you? It does to me. If there was any old cleaning, it was done very long ago, and it's definitely "market acceptable" in my book. I like this kind of grey color on my circ silver. While this isn't a real "black and white" CircCam (Circulation Cameo), it's got light CircCam contrast. And y'all know I'm all about the CircCams.
I think I did OK here, though of course as of this post I have yet to see the coin in hand. What say you?
Index of similar grading poll threads like this
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Comments
This is the first RE Bust half I've bought at a two-figure pricetag that had this kind of detail. (Excluding holeys and problem coins, of course). All the other problem-free examples I've had were mostly EF or better and had three-figure pricetags. I might've had a G-VG coin or two in the past, but this is certainly better than that. I'd call it a "happy medium", grade- and pricewise.
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
Here- the seller's original images are a tad larger.
There no way that this coin is an EF. It's not even close. As for the minor marks you cite, they come with the territory in pieces that have seen some circulation.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
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<< <i>I guess I am in the minority for my pick of genuine. I felt the spots on the obverse might be enviro issues. As far as grade I felt vf30. Maybe the pics are throwing me off, but i imagine a glaze covering obv/rev. Not a bust half whiz, oviously, but my opinion.
Jim >>
You could be right. That's why I hedged my VF-20 grade.
<< <i>There no way that this coin is an EF. It's not even close. As for the minor marks you cite, they come with the territory in pieces that have seen some circulation. >>
Yep. Those were my thoughts exactly.
<< <i>I guess I am in the minority for my pick of genuine. I felt the spots on the obverse might be enviro issues. As far as grade I felt vf30. Maybe the pics are throwing me off, but i imagine a glaze covering obv/rev. Not a bust half whiz, oviously, but my opinion. >>
And a perfectly valid opinion it was. I don't think they're that severe, but we shall see. I suppose I'm OK with the calculated risk. I think it'll be OK.
Like I said before, I thought the coin looked nice enough for a bid. I wasn't turning cartwheels of delight over it, but it looks decent to me. If I decide to submit it and it grades at VF-anything, it's all good. If it goes "Genuine"- eh, well, I took my chances, and I don't think it'll be a huge loss. I think the upside potential is pretty good and the downside potential isn't too bad.
the coin VF-20.
designset
Treasury Seals Type Set
Looks like we have a nearly perfect bell curve goin' on with this poll for the moment. With VF20 being the apogee of the curve.
<< <i>VF central details, weak rims will hold the grade to F12-15 if PCGS grades. >>
The weak rim on the obverse is normal for the type. In fact the rims on the 1837 half dollars are weak on both sides, which partially accounts for the modification to the reverse in 1838 ... at least that's my perception.
If Photobucket was not giving me so much trouble I'd show you.