@BryceM said:
So here they are. I really was just trying to show 3 coins from my collection without any gotchas.....
I bought this coin from Rick Snow as a Flying Eagle type coin. It has the distinction of earning both a CAC bean and his PhotoEye approval. For a time, I recall hearing that CAC would automatically sticker any coin with a PhotoEye seal. I don't think that's true any more. As Rick and I were discussing this coin over the phone, he thought it would be just fine in an MS64 holder, but I don't think he tried it for an upgrade. I don't see any particular reason it shouldn't be a 64, but I think it isn't quite there for a 65 in terms of luster. It's a pretty darn nice cent in a 63 holder!
This coin I just couldn't resist. I was standing on the high-horse of preferring my Merc dimes white, and then this one came along. I changed my ways. Yes it has a teeny-tiny tick on the fasces. The little luster break on the cheek is really hard to see in-hand, but it's there if you tilt it just right. I see it as a technical 68, bumped up to 68+ for eye appeal, which it has in copious abundance. For this coin, I'm more likely to get it right if I grade down from 70 instead of up from 60, if that makes sense....
BTW, does anyone know the story of the group of phenomenal 39-D cents that showed up a few years ago? As @MFeld said, this is certainly one of whatever group that was.
Also, most people neglected to indicate FB or not FB. In an actual grading contest, omitting a strike designations or color designations would be a costly mistake.
This one I got from Dave Wnuck a few years ago. He has a knack for really interesting coins, and this one certainly is appealing for what it is. I don't think this is a net graded coin for problems or a light cleaning. I certainly don't see any. I'm a bit surprised it doesn't have a yellow CAC sticker. It has a surprising amount of flashy mint luster and eye appeal is rather positive. In-hand, there is clearly evidence of light circulation - little tiny ticks and clear rub. For me, AU58 is reserved for coins that you really think are virtually MS. This doesn't qualify. I see it as an easy AU53 with claims to AU55. IIRC, I paid low-AU money to buy it.
@messydesk (who won a prior contest) saw it as an XF45 (and was pretty spot-on for the others too) and I'd be interested to know why he sees it that way.
Thanks, Bryce. I guess maybe I won’t pat myself on the back for being off by 18 points on the half dollar.🤭
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@messydesk (who won a prior contest) saw it as an XF45 (and was pretty spot-on for the others too) and I'd be interested to know why he sees it that way.
I was torn between AU53 and XF45 on this, and I chose the under. It's too attractive for AU50. When I blew it up to the slightly bigger size on the imgur picture, the wear on the breast, leg, shoulder, and head were more obvious, as was high point wear on the reverse. I know it's not a Morgan dollar, but I've both had some graded and purchased some XF45 coins that were liner AU53. A couple are now in AU53 holders. Others make sense in XF45.
Bryce, your Flyer is a sharply struck coin with all details. I look at the tail feathers first on these coins. Also, your coin is mark free; most MS 65s will have a small hit here or there. I could see it in a 4 holder, because I don't think the obverse has enough eye appear to get into a 5 holder. There's a very small greenish spot above the R on the obverse, which you will see if you spend enough time looking at the coin, but it doesn't bother me at all.
The half surprises me. The first thing I look at are the wing tips, and there is some wear on them. I don't see any obvious wear on the obverse, and only see one minor contact mark between star 10 and Miss Liberty's arm. I would have thought an MS 55. Then again, it depends on when the coin was graded.
"Vou invadir o Nordeste, "Seu cabra da peste, "Sou Mangueira......."
Beautiful coins! I really think the half is an AU, I have a hard time judging luster from photos, but it sure looks like enough for a 53! Thanks for another interesting GTG thread.
I think you are very lucky to have the dime at 68+. Any coin I ever sent in for grading that has a chink in it anywhere never comes back over 66, but maybe that's because most of mine have been in the 1970-2000 years which seem to all come back a point or point and a half lower than I expect.
I was really waiting to see the grade on that A&R half, as it is very similar to mine...mine may even have a touch less wear and a bit more luster. But when I posted it (raw, from my 7070) a few years back, most of the guesses were XF45-AU50.
If this coin was indeed in a 58 holder, as the majority of guesses had it, I'd be sending mine in pronto!
Comments
Thanks, Bryce. I guess maybe I won’t pat myself on the back for being off by 18 points on the half dollar.🤭
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
no raw seated halves for me! cool contest as usual. thx
Before the reveal, my guesses were:
63
68 FB
53
Oh I REALLY like that FE as a 63
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
That is a heck of alot of coin for a 45............
I was torn between AU53 and XF45 on this, and I chose the under. It's too attractive for AU50. When I blew it up to the slightly bigger size on the imgur picture, the wear on the breast, leg, shoulder, and head were more obvious, as was high point wear on the reverse. I know it's not a Morgan dollar, but I've both had some graded and purchased some XF45 coins that were liner AU53. A couple are now in AU53 holders. Others make sense in XF45.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Bryce, your Flyer is a sharply struck coin with all details. I look at the tail feathers first on these coins. Also, your coin is mark free; most MS 65s will have a small hit here or there. I could see it in a 4 holder, because I don't think the obverse has enough eye appear to get into a 5 holder. There's a very small greenish spot above the R on the obverse, which you will see if you spend enough time looking at the coin, but it doesn't bother me at all.
The half surprises me. The first thing I look at are the wing tips, and there is some wear on them. I don't see any obvious wear on the obverse, and only see one minor contact mark between star 10 and Miss Liberty's arm. I would have thought an MS 55. Then again, it depends on when the coin was graded.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Beautiful coins! I really think the half is an AU, I have a hard time judging luster from photos, but it sure looks like enough for a 53! Thanks for another interesting GTG thread.
I think you are very lucky to have the dime at 68+. Any coin I ever sent in for grading that has a chink in it anywhere never comes back over 66, but maybe that's because most of mine have been in the 1970-2000 years which seem to all come back a point or point and a half lower than I expect.
Very beautiful coins for sure.
I was really waiting to see the grade on that A&R half, as it is very similar to mine...mine may even have a touch less wear and a bit more luster. But when I posted it (raw, from my 7070) a few years back, most of the guesses were XF45-AU50.
If this coin was indeed in a 58 holder, as the majority of guesses had it, I'd be sending mine in pronto!
Fun thread and wonderful coins!
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