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Grading WLHs
ajaan
Posts: 17,575 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've always found it very difficult to tell an Unc WLH from a high grade AU one. Even when I compare images of the two I'm still confused. What should one look at? I have this coin, a lot of lustre not shown in the image. Is there wear on the feathers? So confusing.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
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Is there a break in the luster in the obverse field? That could be a slight rub that would cause it but it’s a very Unc looking coin from first glance.
Cautions that you can't accurately grade from a photo aside....
For the coin shown, I note the following:
So, in short....I'm on the fence on this one. Could be a very nice AU-58, or low MS.....could even get a no grade for the mark on the eagle's wing. I would have to see it in person....
Which, of course, doesn't answer your question! But maybe one guy's attempt to interpret the coin will help you with the coin in hand?
I don’t see any obvious rub, including the eagle’s feathers and Liberty’s thigh - a good place to look for indications of faint wear. While I might feel differently if I were to view the coin in hand, it looks approximately MS64 to me.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Thanks all.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
Looks like a choice uncirculated coin to me.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Rub on the breast of both birds. AU
Based on what can be seen in the picture... I would say 63, possibly 64.... Or 64, possibly 63
Cheers, RickO
There looks to be a scuff on Liberty's breast, but I'm guessing it's incidental, and not from circulation. The luster and the rest of the coin looks to be solid mint state. There also appears to be die polish lines in the right obverse field, not hairlines. And an old thumb print on the sun. I'm in the ~64 camp as well.
I submitted to host the better coins in an original roll of 44's a few years ago. They all had some friction on the high points, but came back as 64 to 66+.
Would high point discoloration be something to search for?
That is the first thing to look for and it jumps right out under florescent light! Now do you understand why florescent light is NOT RECOMMENDED when grading coins?
This coin is an AU-58 (in florescent light). Most folks are not this conservative. That's because this coin will probably look MS under a 100W incandescent light and its MS grade will depend on the number of marks and degree of bright, original luster.
Not all change of color on the high points of a coin is due to friction rub (AU). Stacking compression or "weak strike luster" may look similar. Learn the difference. They do not take a coin out of the MS grade range.
Please show us the coin under incandescent light and with correct white color balance. Otherwise, your point might be largely wasted.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@MFeld asked: "Please show us the coin under incandescent light and with correct white color balance. Otherwise, your point might be largely wasted."
Good point. I'll find one with more rub. For now...
Coin gone. I changed the colors in this image. Anyone who cannot see the different shade of gray on this - depending on how critical the examiner is AU/MS coin - should not buy raw coins. They don't come with less friction than this one.
OP's coin looks choice Unc to me.
I thought the only way to grade one this close is to rotate it under a light, and I think you have to do that with the actual coin, not a photo.