Options
What do you think this would grade if it wasn’t scratched?
air4mdc
Posts: 797 ✭✭✭✭
I purchased this several years ago at show because I liked the story and the coin was beautiful in person. Plus my wife liked it also. It has the one scratch in the right obverse field which doesn’t appear too deep. Normally I wouldn’t purchase a scratched coin, I think without the scratch it might grade 63-63+ Probably not a smart move buying a details coin but the luster and strike looked really good. I paid 62 money for it. Gold was 1700$/oz at the time.
Curious to your input on our purchase? 
0
Comments
Subtracting the scratch (es), it looks like a 66+/67 to me, unless I am not seeing the offending damage.
Beautiful piece with or without scratches.
I would certainly not be ashamed of it.
Very nice coin!
I don't really see a scratch...Heavy localized contact marks yes.
Here is a scratch that I'd proudly own if I could.
MS64 Hansen
My Saint Set
The first obverse picture shows a number of scratches in front of Liberty’s face and a long one in the right obverse field, behind her head. Which ones are on the coin, not the holder?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I have the same questions as Mark....Are any of those on the slab? Will make a difference as to grade...Cheers, RickO
The long scratch runs in the right side obverse from 2-4 o’clock position. I believe that is the only scratch that I noticed and the dealer noticed. The scratches to left of Liberty’s face are in the plastic. The pics are from my old phone back at that time. The coin is in the SDB so I can’t verify.
Damn, that is a nice coin even with the scratch.
In that case, without the scratch, the coin looks approximately MS63 to me.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
My wife and I said the same thing when we had it in hand. The scratch didn’t matter compared to the beauty. There was a dealer that seen it after we purchased it and he believed it to be a 64 without the scratch. In my mind, I like to think it would be a 64+ or 65 if the scratch wasn’t there. Thanks for looking.
That's still a nice coin to me fwiw
Even without THE scratch, the marks on the face, in front of the face and scattered about the right obverse field should disqualify the coin from a grade of 65, 64+ and possibly/probably even 64, in my opinion. Others may disagree.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Looks to be a 64, without THE scratch.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
I thought the same thing. She has a little "acne" problem that would hold up a higher grade.
Pete
I will try to get the coin this weekend from the SDB and take a digital picture. It’s been so long since I seen the coin I can’t remember if it had other minor scratches or not. From these pics I do see some sort of acne on the cheek. I wonder if that was from the conservation of the coin? Thanks again for looking.
At the minimum, a 65.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
Looks 64 to me w/out the scratch.
Ms65
64 w/o the scratch
I dunno. They’re all MS70s with problems, even in fancy holders with gold foil labels. It is nice, but I can’t see it without also seeing the scratch.
I know it has a scratch but I don’t see where it would be a “ problem coin?” According to Q.David Bowers almost all pre 1934 silver( many in TPG holders) has been dipped. Would that make all of them problem coins? I’m just being inquisitive. I will try to post a better picture of the scratch.
It’s too bad for the coin, without the scratch it’s a big money coin.
Appreciate your thoughts on the coin.
Many/most coins which have been dipped are considered market acceptable and are awarded straight grades. However, at a certain point, a coin can be considered to be over-dipped and will receive a details-grade, instead.
The same goes for coins which have been cleaned by other means - the decision whether to award a straight or details grade is based on the degree of cleaning.
Likewise, many/most coins with flaws such as scratches, are awarded straight grades. But at a certain point, the scratches are considered to be too severe/conspicuous to award a straight grade. Your coin looks to easily fall into that category. And that’s regardless of what grade it might have received or what it might have been worth without the scratch. I’m not dissing the coin, but rather, trying to address your question (even though you didn’t ask me).
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions
*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my own personal opinions.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I really appreciate your viewpoint and comments. I’m not real familiar with this area so a little knowledge doesn’t hurt. Especially from experienced folks. I agree that the scratch is a detractor due to its size, but the beauty of the coin was what drew us to it. And we liked the story behind it. And....the price was right for such a nice looking gold Liberty. Glad you jumped in. Thanks again.
Alas, it's from one of my favorite modern day finds. A great story. Probably scratched by a can of beans. Maybe it was in the first can the finder kicked.
So barring the issues , I'd say MS-66.
Too bad they ( saddle ridge hoard) all needed restoration service. What a cool hoard, though.