Random auction win - thoughts?

spyglassdesign

I purchased this at XF or less cost on an auction that listed it as an 1860 sitting liberty quarter. I just got it in hand and find that it has an 'o' mark on the reverse that wasn't seen in the picture (it was a lowball offer so I wasn't worried). I can see why the 'O' was overlooked as it is easily missed at first glance as I only noticed it under magnification. There seems to be some luster that can be seen through the grey toning at certain angles but no cartwheels or anything of that nature.

Looking at CoinFacts, it seems the 'O' variant from New Orleans actually has a higher valuation than the Philly version (no mint mark). Was this actually a decent pickup? Possibly AU? I know it can be hard to tell from photos and I'm not the best photographer, but appreciate the feedback.

Thanks!

jmlanzaf

Maybe AU details

Namvet69

I don't think it's AU. The stars are worn down and too many hits, IMO. Use our hosts photograde feature for excellent pics to compare. Good luck. Peace Roy

dhikewhitney

Not AU; cleaned; VF35; what was cost ?

spyglassdesign

@Namvet69 said:
I don't think it's AU. The stars are worn down and too many hits, IMO. Use our hosts photograde feature for excellent pics to compare. Good luck. Peace Roy

I did.

https://www.pcgs.com/cert/39478388

That's a TV of an au50. The stars are not well struck/worn down there too.

MFeld

The coin looks like a lightly cleaned XF.

spyglassdesign

@MFeld said:
The coin looks like a lightly cleaned XF.

I'm sure it was cleaned in the past. To my eye it looks like it may have toned over whatever was before. I wonder if the Grey patina could ever safely be removed? I know it's a risk as no telling what's underneath, but can it be conserved without damaging it? I'm not concerned about cost just curious about feasibility as I've seen other coins with this kind of patina and wondered the same.

MFeld

@spyglassdesign said:

@MFeld said:
The coin looks like a lightly cleaned XF.

I'm sure it was cleaned in the past. To my eye it looks like it may have toned over whatever was before. I wonder if the Grey patina could ever safely be removed? I know it's a risk as no telling what's underneath, but can it be conserved without damaging it? I'm not concerned about cost just curious about feasibility as I've seen other coins with this kind of patina and wondered the same.

If you’re talking about the lighter areas, which comprise most of the surface area, that could probably be safely removed. However, doing so might make any flaws and/or cleaning a lot more conspicuous. But if you’re asking about the darker peripheries, my guess is that at least part of the toning - in particular, on the reverse - is etched into the surface of the coin and wouldn’t be improved much, if at all.

spyglassdesign

@MFeld yeah the lighter areas. Yeah I can see how the darker areas are probably more permanent. Thanks!

ricko

I would call that an XF40. Nice catch on the O mint mark. I would not recommend any work being done on that coin. Cheers, RickO

jacrispies

XF-40 tops for me.

TomB

That's not AU and I think you would have to be blind to miss that O mintmark. As for the surfaces, I can't tell much given the quality of the images, but if you attempt to lighten them in any way you will simply be degrading the coin's eye appeal and value even further.

291fifth

XF details, burnished with a cloth to remove dark toning on the high points.

spyglassdesign

@TomB said:
That's not AU and I think you would have to be blind to miss that O mintmark. As for the surfaces, I can't tell much given the quality of the images, but if you attempt to lighten them in any way you will simply be degrading the coin's eye appeal and value even further.

Well the auction didn't list it as that and it wasn't clear in the picture, so I think a few people thought it was a Philly mint.

@dhikewhitney said:
Not AU; cleaned; VF35; what was cost ?

Less than half the going rate according to PCGS price guide (not the price guide value, actual auction sales) than an XF40 as most have speculated.

braddick

Yours is a pleasant album coin. Nice catch on the price.

spyglassdesign

@braddick said:
Yours is a pleasant album coin. Nice catch on the price.

Thanks. Considering I thought I was bidding on a Philly, it would have been pretty close to the right price. So no complaints here!