I "settled" this weekend. PCGS OGH 1907-D MS63 & 1886-S MS61 CAC (S/S)?

Azurescens

I was gonna buy a 64 or better Indian eagle with a bean. I decided to "settle" for these liberty half eagles instead

The 1886-S caught my eye before I saw the bean or the description. The seller had noted it might be the S/S. The photos weren't good enough for me to make a sorta-last-minute research endeavor. So I made sure I liked the coin without the attribution and that I liked it even if it wouldn't upgrade. I love it, hits on her face and black obverse fleck and all. It's a gorgeous MS61.

I'm very excited to get it. The eBay seller, jprc.c, runs James Poston Rare Coins & Collectibles. He's the most passionate and honest person I've run into on ebay. Now he's selling some nice gold and I'm so happy for him. It really made the decision of pulling the trigger that much easier. One of those situations where the person doing the hard work actually deserves the fruits of their labors. It's nice to see.

Also, JPRC uses natural sunlight in their photos, so I spent exactly 0 seconds trying to play any guessing games. I would absolutely pay more (in general) if I was provided honest photos all the time, so it's awesome that they provide it as a regular service. They regularly have amazing sub $250 stuff, too.

The 1907-D was an easy decision for what I paid. I think the likelihood of an upgrade and/or bean is possible? If not, it's certainly prettier than a lot of the 1907-D's that have come up lately and goes great with my 1908 MS63+ CAC.

I think both are gorgeous.

Admittedly, I didn't set out to buy OGH holders this weekend. I am signing up for PCGS here and will be resubmitting everything for the gold shield service for the truviews and chips.

I love this hobby. This is my first piece of green gold and I'm extra excited for having gotten it from an awesome person. I'm so glad my 1908 MS63+ CAC has a friend closer in age, now, too.

ironmanl63

Doesn’t everyone doing hard work deserve the fruits of their labor?

Edited to add what is green gold?

Azurescens

Yes, lol, they do. It's an added benefit when they're an awesome person.

Its the MS version of (legitimately) dirty gold, is my understanding, due to the silver and platinum that made its way in with the gold and copper for durability. Copper and silver gain patina, gold won't.

Noticing it in the listing is the first time I've heard someone use it in awhile. It's a way to describe a very specific toning, I guess.

There's not much further reading available on Google due to all the ads from precious metals websites. Here's a link on electrum, though:

https://www.thoughtco.com/electrum-metal-alloy-facts-608460

The "sheen" from green gold is incredibly difficult to get in photos, unfortunately. I won't really know how nice it is until I get it, but this seller has an amazing eye so I'm confident she will be even prettier.

As for the rpm, I've seen NGC designate the S/S but not PCGS (is also not on the site). I can't recall the last time I even heard anybody talk about RPMs and gold in the same sentence. Similar examples XF-AU53 held around 750-1k and I'm far ahead of that.

ironmanl63

Cool

Walkerguy21D

Love the coins, and both look like upgrade candidates, but a little sorry to hear you’re gonna crack them out of those OGH’s. I really like seeing gold coins in those holders.
My only slabbed gold is in an OGH, and was hoping to get more someday!

291fifth

Leave them as is. In the end they are just lower mint state grade, common date gold coins in a series that few collect by date and mint mark. Someone already paid to have them slabbed and, in one case, stickered. Don't waste money by slabbing them again.

ricko

I also will recommend leaving them 'as is'...Nice gold coins in slabs already...Likely will not upgrade, so fees/shipping is wasted $$. Is the 'green' you refer to along the top of the hair on the obverse? Cheers, RickO

Downtown1974

I’m a big fan of the gold shield holders, but I would leave them in the current holder as well. Those OGH aren’t rare, but I like them a lot. If they were cracked and scratched to the point where it affected the appearance of the coin, then a reholder could be in order. Yours appear to be in good shape.

erwindoc

Like them!

asheland

Very nice!

Unknown

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Azurescens

Thank you all so much for your input. I will leave them be! :-)

This is definitely a fantastic learning experience and I appreciate that you would take your time to drop in and help. Thank you, @Realone @Downtown1974 @ricko @asheland @erwindoc @Walkerguy21D @291fifth and all

The green hue on this is great. I need to get you folks photos. I am determined to capture it. There's a gorgeous forest/sea green halo that barely extends past the stars, oh my gosh, I just wanna spread this thing on a bagel and eat it.

Though, I think if it were more pronounced I'd be passing on it. I like that there is mostly a gold coin underneath a little bit of a toner. If that makes sense.

The benefit of the OGH is I know the coin is generally stable :-)

The "green gold" color is concentrated in that circle but does indeed cover the coin in an unmistakable sheen, and it's faint enough in the parts that matter, and doesn't mute the luster (my biggest worry!). Or, worse, distort any of the design.

Also, it doesn't "steal the show". It really only pops in a certain light and angle, leaving a gorgeous gold most of the time. Not a steady "oh hey look at that green coin".

There's just enough of it in there to showcase the electrum without leaving any questionable greens.

In short, it's perfect.

Here is the suspected S/S

I've only seen NGC make this designation. Any help?

I see some extra metal and maybe some PMD, but this is my first time considering an rpm on gold. There are few examples out there too. Thank you please be safe and healthy.

asheland

I know what you mean about that green around the stars. I've seen that before and like it, I believe it attests to the originality of the coin. not dipped, etc.