Scratched 1865 Liberty Seated Dime-- How Bad Is This?

Avocet

My friend @asheland and I have debated the significance of the rim scratches in this 1865 10c example. I appreciate this coin, especially considering its strike, skin, and rarity, but the scratches seem distracting/detracting. The coin has a fascinating history, and it was once a part of a very nice collection of mint-state 1865 seated liberties and belonged to one collector for many years. What do you think? Is the grade generous? Thanks for your comments.

On a separate note, Happy New Year, and thank you to everyone on this forum. Over the past year, I have slowly gotten to know many great collectors/experts here. I am fortunate to get to know all of you, and I am grateful to our PCGS host for providing this valuable venue for us.

Aotearoa

I presume the scratches are within the bounds of the grading standards but, once seen those scratches cannot be unseen...

asheland

Despite the scratches, it’s still an excellent coin! 👍

gtstang

Large pics, small coin. I don't believe it would look like a terrible issue when viewing in hand.

Avocet

@Aotearoa said:
I presume the scratches are within the bounds of the grading standards but, once seen those scratches cannot be unseen...

I like the way you put this-- once you identify a concern with a coin, the concern tends to hang-on. Interestingly, the scratches are focused primarily on a raised position of the rim that is asymmetric, a bit like an off-center die. I wonder how graders deal with that kind of thing.....

sumdunce

Looks to me like a RPD. Like a 5 over tilted 5. Maybe it is just clash remnants from the wreath on the back. Very nice coin even with the scratch.

LanceNewmanOCC

a nice looking coin with a LOT of damage.

i didn't give it an A+ effort but there are a good amount of digs on the coin as well as lady liberty having pretty decent vertical scratch(es).

i'm thinking if one were to tilt the coin in the right light, a lot of contact marks would, you know, come to light.

kinda looks like a bit of a tilted collar error MAYBE since k8-k10 has the rim fin and then the corresponding k2-k4 collar clashing.

291fifth

The biggest problem is the assigned grade of MS64. The coin looks to me like an AU55 as there is wear on the high points.

Avocet

@sumdunce said:
Looks to me like a RPD. Like a 5 over tilted 5. Maybe it is just clash remnants from the wreath on the back. Very nice coin even with the scratch.

@sumdunce -- your comments prompted me to do some research, and I did find a match with the Fortin 101B variety -- the die clash marks are a perfect match -- repunched date is a part of that variety. Thank you for sharing these observations!

bsshog40

Like stated, small coin large pics really show details. In hand I'm sure it doesn't look quite as bad. The enlarged pics makes me thing it should've been a 63 instead of a 64. Jmo

BillJones

The left rim looks like it's been filed. That might not be the case, but the signs are there.

I like the coin, but not as an MS-64. It's got to have more luster than what is showing in the photos. From what I see, I'd be in the AU-58 to MS-61 camp with a boost for eye appeal.

Avocet

Great comments -- I also feel the grading may be generous here, considering luster and eye appeal, for example. I am fascinated with the Fortin 101B variety match -- the coin does appear to have RPD, and the die clashes are a perfect match for the Fortin 101B variety. The 101B variety may add to the rarity of this example. I am grateful for the thoughts of the experts on this forum....

ricko

My first impression was MS63.... and after further study, I will stick with that. Cheers, RickO

NumisOxide

@BillJones said:
The left rim looks like it's been filed. That might not be the case, but the signs are there.

I like the coin, but not as an MS-64. It's got to have more luster than what is showing in the photos. From what I see, I'd be in the AU-58 to MS-61 camp with a boost for eye appeal.

I agree looks like filing or a rim scrape. Not sure how it's a MS64.

dhikewhitney

MS61

Catbert

I like the coin and if there is more luster than what appears, then I wouldn’t fret over the grade.

On such a small coin, the rim issue would likely not bother me.

jedm

In my opinion the rim scratches are insignificant. That one's got great eye appeal to me and I think the graders thought so too.

Namvet69

It's graded, slabbed, nothing's gonna change. I like it. Peace Roy

Cougar1978

MS 70 is perfect this coin is not.

It’s not PQ IMO. Nice looking Average Quality 64. Would price at 64 CPG $4200 ish - hopefully have lots of room for negotiation. Not a bad piece to fill the hole in a type set.

Looking at it actual size - overall I like it.

1904vernacular

Beautiful Seated Lib, did you notice what they sold for yesterday, definitely makes yours a timely purchase well made before the Bender dime auction.

Clackamas1

Dang those are recent. So sorry.

Avocet

@1904vernacular said:
Beautiful Seated Lib, did you notice what they sold for yesterday, definitely makes yours a timely purchase well made before the Bender dime auction.

I have been watching those--- I am grateful to have this 1865 Liberty Seated Dime for sure