Black line on gold coin??
SimpleCollector
Posts: 536 ✭✭✭✭✭
I purchased this coin the other day and it arrived today. Due to a mark that is clearly visible to the eye, but that does get washed out in photos with extra lighting, it likely is being returned. However I am perplexed as to what would’ve caused this. I am pretty sure it’s on the coin, and it has the appearance of almost a felt tip pen mark. Coin has a fairly high grade and CAC review. I would think that the mark showed up after encapsulation and CAC review, but since I have no idea what it could be, perhaps it’s been there all the time. It is in an older holder. Any thoughts on what caused the mark?
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I am not sure but it could just be a result of an uneven alloy mix. An elongated copper spot.
Could it be improper alloy mix? I mean it is in a holder and stickered. I defer to my fellows here. Peace Roy
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That was my first thought. When the gold ingot went through the rollers, a trace of copper alloy was stretched into the streak you now see on the coin.
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Wonderful gold coin. Wouldn't bother me a bit, I don't expect perfection.
bob
I suppose the next question is whether or not this is a "flaw" that should be a deal breaker.
I have no idea how these normally come, but there is a chance that such a spot is not generally considered catastrophic.
Of course, If it bothers you then you might need to throw it back.
Doesn’t bother me.
Thanks for the quick thoughts on a Saturday night. My initial reaction upon opening the coin and looking at it was disappointment for the mark (In the exact way that you should not be a numismatist, I should self declare that it was after attending a long needed happy hour). That said, and what I should have probably posted under the Saturday Coffee & Coin thread, I began to look at it more closely this morning. If it is likely a natural occurrence “alloy mix or stretched copper spot” it may actually enhance its appeal to me, as it’s something unique. If it’s crud or something else, then it might bother me. I am now posting the full coin and also the reverse. I must say, the reverse (to me) is pretty darn nice.
I know I will have to make my decision, but curious what others would say. I seem to have The Clash running through my head…Should it stay or should it go?
Thanks for all of the input so far and the input to come.
The spot certainly doesn’t enhance the coin especially in a prime focal area.
For those of you who aren't bothered, can you expand why it doesn't detract for you? Would it bother you if the line was across the entire coin surface?
I purchased an ms70 coin which was copper spotted (unbeknownst to me), and it bothers me. But I'm open to seeing the world through a different lense.
Of anywhere on the obverse for that mark to be, the hair is the spot that would least bother me.
Jim
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It would be nice if all coins were perfect but especially after over 100 years a few imperfections tend to materialize.
......and get returned. That mark will bother more than will accept it.
@SimpleCollector
I see in the other photo how it does not stand out as much. It appears that photo had a smudge on the holder partially blocking it. These type of thing bother people in different ways or not at all. A question to ask yourself is, when you look at the coin in the future will this dark line be something you think about or catches your eye.
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Your first reaction to the coin is what is going to “stick”. Trying to convince yourself that it’s acceptable probably won’t work. If it bothered you initially then I’d return it.
To borrow your line and paraphrase The Clash: if it goes there will be trouble, and if it stays there will be double. In all seriousness, your first instinct is usually the best one. If it bothered you enough to start a thread on it, I'd say return it if the seller accepts returns.
Philippians 4:4-7
If the defect was not visible in the sellers pictures - or, if visible but barely noticeable, I would send it back, when, on in hand evaluation, it clearly is a major distraction. I am assuming the price was not low enough to account for the issue. Cheers, RickO
The defect was not evident in the sellers pics, that said, under higher lighting conditions it doesn’t show up much, and the slab is well worn. However it is clearly visible in hand.
I do believe in the adage that if you don’t like/love a coin immediately, you almost never will like it more later. The seller has a return policy, and I have already contacted them and have decided that I will be returning it. There are many of these coins, so no special need to have this exact one.
It seems as though the leading thought is that it was alloy caused streak, however I am still curious if this was the cause or if others have seen something similar on a gold coin. I had not.
Thanks