Coin/Grading suggestions

Jharr98

So I’m very new to coin collecting and I recently acquired this 1688 crown, and I have a few questions. I took it to a coin shop and he said it was real and would give $30 for it. I seen them online going for a lot more but maybe mines not in as good of shape. So would you all recommend sending this in to get graded or would it be a waste of money. Also how do I tell if it is a first or second bust, and that little pit infront of his mouth is that likely due to damage over the years? Thank you.

Greenstang

Welcome to the forum
That looks like the second bust which is slightly narrower than the first.
It would probably cost close to $100.00 with shipping to have it certified
but if you are intending on selling it, this would prove authenticity and
give you a grade in which to value your coin. Even in that condition, it could
be worth $4-500.00. If it was in better condition, it would worth in the thousands.

PS-
Your photo of the reverse is upside down

Jharr98

@Greenstang Okay thank you, by a rough estimate what do you think that could be graded at? My phone also takes really bad pictures.

Jharr98

It definitely looks a little better than this one

Sapyx

My main concern is the large pit in front of the king's lips; that could be sufficiently severe to render the coin as "damaged" and ungradable.

Jharr98

@Sapyx Here is a better quality picture.

Sapyx

I can't tell if the hole is damage, corrosion, or some kind of planchet flaw. It looks for all the world like a corrosion pit, but sterling silver shouldn't corrode like that.

The sharper pics raise another possible issue. See the weakness and deformity on the edge, down around 5 o'clock on the obverse? I'm wondering if that's a sign of a "removed jewellery mount" - another potential reason for a details grade.

realeswatcher

Dealer is a dirtball offering $30 for this...

RSP

I would not spend the money to grade this piece. Enjoy it. I hope that is why you bought it.

291fifth

Make sure the visit to the dealer that offered you $30 is the last visit to that location.

BillJones

I agree that the dealers’ offer was ridiculously low, but you also need to take into consideration that he might not have any customers for it. For him it would be like a silver round. I’ve had over 60 years of experience with coins, but if you put a rare Chinese or Islamic coin under my nose, I would decline to buy it. It’s simply totally out of my wheelhouse. If I were still a dealer, that would be my response.

As for the current coin, I don’t think that having it graded would add that much value. It’s got some issues as noted, and many collectors of British coins still like their coins raw (uncertified), especially in the lower grades.

The British grading system is more conservative than ours is. A rule of thumb is that the coin grades one notch lower in British terms.

Here is a 1695 William III crown, which is from the same era. NGC graded this VF-35. Using U.S. grading standards, that is the right grade. I imagine the best the British would give it would be F-VF, if not just "Fine."

I bought this in a Heritage auction and probably overpaid for it. At any rate, this is probably the lowest grade one might consider being worth the cost of certification. The coin has not been cleaned, and it has no issues other than wear.