Is it worth having this 1858-O Seated Liberty half dollar graded? Is it worthless?
Opie_IN
Posts: 25 ✭
This one is pretty nice other than a scratch under the eagles beak on the rear. Some sources say that it will be worthless with the scratch but I find that hard to believe. Thoughts about sending it in?
[img]https://i.imgur.com/wxmtEPh.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/JMOm7OH.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Hzxv2aS.jpg[/img]
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Comments
It's not worthless, but it is worth less.
If you are trying to sell it to anyone but a dealer, it benefits from authentication.
Thanks Lance! The method I used works on another forum, guess I need to figure out the trick here.
It's such a shame, I think this is a really nice coin other than the scratch. I'll keep it either way, but wondering if they would even grade it, and where it would land on the scale. A friend said it would be rejected and returned to me ungraded.
imo. it isn't worth the cost, even if it straight-grades. there is a big enough market for seated halves in the xf/au range, especially with some grunge like yours. nice pics btw.
the gouge on the reverse hurts it but won't kill a sale.
Also wondering how that got there without hitting the wing or the beak!
It looks so deep that I wouldn’t call it a scratch.
As asked, why didn’t it hit the eagle?
I think someone did that by hand and with a blade.
That is worthless. I will p.m. you my address for safe disposal.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Nice looking coin except for the dig/scratch. I don't think it's worth it to slab it.
I can tell you it's been in my Grandmothers house untouched since probably the 50's. Was part of a small bag of silver coins handed down to her by her parents and she never messed with them. That cut/scratch has been there a LONG time, but it's a true mystery on what caused it and how it missed the eagle.
Nice looking coin except for the damage. There are 30 some die pairs for this issue, if you want some fun you can research it here: lsccweb.org/BillBugertBooks/Bugert-Vol-IV-NO-Part2.pdf
there is virtually limitless stuff like this spread across all of numismatics.
As for grading, you would not get it back the way you sent it in … un-holdered
PCGS will authenticate it and judge how much wear it has and will put it in what we call a “details” holder.
The label will mention something about the cut, perhaps just saying “Damaged” or “Scratched”
Instead of a number grade, you’ll see something like “VF details” or whatever level it is. But no specific number. This is why we call it a “details” grade/holder.
Also, as to value, since it is 90% silver it definitely won’t be worthless.
You could get it slabbed... will give authenticity if you want to sell it. If you will keep it, save your money. Cheers, RickO
I would place it in a type set album. I see it as an attractive example- while the impairment is devastating to getting it graded, there is still enjoyment to be had from ownership. Clearly not worthless but there is no upside in having it graded.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
It appears to have some PVC contamination, most notably to the left of the date.
It will find a home in an album. The market is hot these days and even coins with problems will sell if priced right. I would not spend any money on having it slabbed.
That one's not worthless. I could see it bringing $100 on ebay, possibly even a bit more. I do believe it'd get a details grade with our hosts. Unless you're planning on keeping it for future generations and protecting it ultimately, I'd not recommend getting it graded/slabbed.
Along with whatever else was in your grandmother's bag of silver, you might have a good start at a type set - with sentimental value.
Keep raw and enjoy it! Put it in an airtite.
Also in the bag were a number of corroded wheat pennies that were turning green. Do you think I should try to remove that green spot? Could it cause this to corrode? I don't think these were ever sleeved in PVC, my family was pretty poor and I can't see them doing it. I really think its been in the family since at least the 20's, if not longer.
Don't bother. It's not worthless, but it's a $100-ish coin and anybody who would want it can see that already -- no need to spend $40 or whatever to get PCGS to tell you what we can all already see. It looks like a wholesome and attractive XF45-ish coin notwithstanding that dig or scratch or whatever it is. It's too bad about that, but it is what it is. If you're planning on keeping it, the holder would be pointless anyhow, and if you're intending a sale there will be a type collector somewhere who wants it for what it is. The holder won't change that, it'll just cost you money. And I'd just leave that spot alone, it's not going to get worse on its own but you could very well make it worse messing with it.