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Graffiti
ponderit
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Hi all, coin graffiti was mentioned in a previous thread today and it reminded me of a Morgan that I've had for over 20 years. The inscription reads "From Teddy 1904". I'm curious if graffiti coins are of interest as a specialty in our great hobby?
Bill
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Trying to upload pics... having no luck getting the pics to display. The links show here in the box but that's all I get. Will keep trying.
While we await images, I would think how well the graffiti is placed onto the coin and/or if the graffiti shows up in a reference book or can be tied to a known historical event or person would determine greatly how desirable it might be to the broader numismatic community.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Yes, images would help, but off the top of my head, I would say no. It might have “1904” scratched on it, but how do you know if it was done in 1904? If a market were to develop for this, it’s too easy to duplicate. The artful engraving on love tokens is one thing. The results of scratching in messages are another.
I see you are having an issue as your links show in this quote. Try copy photo and paste into body with no links.
Good luck,
Jim
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I'd like to see it.
I view graffiti on coins as damage no matter how well done or historic it might be. The value would lie in its historic provenance or personal meaning.
Are coins that are counter-stamped also considered Graffiti?
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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I'm having no luck getting the pics to display, I had this happen one other time but don't remember what the solution was. I've tried dragging and dropping, uploading the link and copying and pasting. I'll keep working on it,,,
I'm sure it's an IUE (Idiot User Error)
No, they are considered counter stamped.
To add to this, some graffiti is a very intentional act and artistic to some degree--think inscriptions or the designs that become love tokens or even hobo nickels. Usually I hear of those coins as engraved, inscribed, or with some other term that doesn't have a negative connotation. When I hear graffiti, I think more a poorly made inscription scratched into a coin, whether it's letters/numbers/words or perhaps even just an X or something else of the sort that is more intentional than a random scratch, but only serves to detract from the coin while adding nothing.
I can't believe I got it to work! Thanks for all the feedback so far.
The TE almost looks like DA. If the graffiti is done well (I don't think this one is), it might bring a premium from graffiti collectors.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
This graffiti represents a special time in someone’s life in 1904 when a dollar went a long way. I’m sure it was a gift to someone. Of course it’s graffiti but when I hear that term used I think of a nasty, ugly very distracting coin. Not so much here. I think this topic is interesting and looking forward to where it might lead.
Thanks for sharing.
I had one dealer offer a similar sort of item to me. It was lover's wish on a Peace Dollar from the mid 1920s. It was a pass for me, but perhaps not for others.
As I mentioned, I hadn't looked at this coin for several years and just realized there is more to the inscription, the date of May 16 is also there, to the left of 1904. I know this isn't worth a premium and don't really care about that. I just wondered if there is interest out there from a historical aspect,,,, here's a pic with the full date
I'd imagine that from how poorly the inscription is done that the most historical interest in the piece might be from your family if it had been passed down through the generations. Other than that, it would likely be tough to find someone who would value that coin much over any non-inscribed piece.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I collect these and I like yours!
In general, even with rather nice
graffiti, they are going to be worth less than the same problem free coin in the same grade...here are some examples
Here are some better ones, where you may expect to pay the same or a tad
More than what an average circ example of the host coin would bring
Then you get into the next level, this type of "graffiti " will almost always go for more than the host (mid grade, not rare host that is..) sometimes alot more..
Finally, there are the spectacular pieces, such as the recently posted Andrew Jackson presentation bust half that fetch princely sums 😀
To each their own,friends.
Collect what you like!
Jim, thank you for the education. You have some very cool items there, pretty little pieces of artwork!
Graffiti like this, when it tells a story, can be fun.
Sure, it's still damage, but not as objectionable as, say, harsh cleaning or scratches or whatever.
Generally speaking, as damaged coins go, coins with graffiti are more desirable than those with more mundane problems.
In fact, if the graffiti tells an interesting enough story, they can be worth as much or more than an undamaged coin of the same date would be, in some cases.
One of those Bust halves which @jayPem posted looks somewhat familiar to me...
Was watching an online auction when this engraved Trade Dollar popped up on the screen. Had to buy it for my mom, the three initials matched perfectly, she loves it.
The more I look at the OP coin, the more it looks like 'From Daddy'... May just be the lighting... I do not seek out engraved/graffiti coins... but, as noted above, some are interesting, or historical, artistic or of personal significance. So, if I liked it, I may well buy it. Cheers, RickO
AMERICAN GRAFFITI
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