1812 Bust half dollar… Is this a generous grade or really just a mechanical error?
BustHalfBrian
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I put this at VF25, at best. The grade is so far off that it makes me think this could be a mechanical error. Am I missing something?
PS: I do not own this coin; it recently sold on eBay.
Lurking and learning since 2010. Full-time professional numismatist based in SoCal.
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Here's the TrueView...
I disregard the "details grade" on genuine coins. AU is too high and when ANACS net graded details coins this would have been a good example of a net VF30 because the cleaning doesn't appear harsh and the coin has good eye appeal.
If the TrueView couldn't make it look AU, then nothing will
The few PCGS holdered details coins I've ever bought or considered were accurate. I've seen a MUCH larger variance ATS.
Hmm, I’ll go with mechanical error.
I think mechanical error.
My latest acquisition looks much better as an AU 105--admittedly, a high AU, but still
I remember seeing this on eBay and I couldn’t believe my eyes. It has to be a mechanical error or else grading standards have surely loosened since I last checked
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
Couldn't that be really weakly struck? It looks that way in the TV and would at least partly explain the grade.
I don’t think the coin could be weakly struck enough to account for an accurate grade of AU. I’ll go with mechanical error.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I could see it in a straight Vf-25 holder.
Here is my VF25 1812 if you would like to compare.
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And here is my VF30:
I'd be hard pressed to call that an AU.
This would be a fascinating regrade submission (submitted in the holder). I could also see this coin in a straight grade holder. Coins that detail grade are normally lowered in actual overall grade. So technically, according to pcgs this coin should grade mint state, but the “cleaning” dropped it down to an overall AU.
How could pcgs save face if submitted for regrade? Just use the exact same terminology on the label, with no clearly needed change?
Probably best thing would be to submit under the guarantee and let pcgs buy it back
Well, it isn't an AU details in anyone's estimation, so I'd say it's an error on the label
Cleaned, VF details ... and probably has a chance at a VF something straight grade on some days (based on the TrueView).
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More reference pics...here's a PCGS VF25 I sold recently...
Here is my profile picture. 1812 O-105 graded XF45 at PCGS (I actually just cracked it to conserve it as you can see some green on the reverse wing. It will be going back for a proper TV and new slab).
Anyway, you can clearly see that OP's photos of the coin are not even CLOSE to an AU or XF grade. I personally have it at VF details cleaned. The non TV pics look awful.
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
It's a mechanical error unless they were trying to tell you that the coin was likely AU before it was buffed and dremeled down to its current state.
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Nice coin you have there!
I believe it’s incorrect to state that “ Coins that detail grade are normally lowered in actual overall grade”. The AU details grade coins that I see - and I see a lot of them - usually look like AU coins with problems, not Unc. coins with problems. Likewise, XF details coins typically look like XF (not AU) coins with problems, and so on.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.