Need advice -- 1806 Draped Bust Quarter

Romankow

I bought this recently on eBay, and would like to know your thoughts.

I thought it was pleasing looking online, and I feel that it would grade about F-12. I paid $900 for it, which I thought was fair. However, when I received it today, I looked at it closely and noticed the following:
• I see lots of cuts/grooves (especially in between stars on the left side of the obverse).
• It also looks like it may have been cleaned in the past.
• The field behind the "6" in "1806" looks dark. Maybe it has been altered?
• The weight of the coin is 6.276 grams, but given its condition, it should be fairly close to the mint specs of 6.74 grams. I have another 1806 bust quarter, in worse condition, and it weighs 6.639 grams, which is pretty close to mint specs.

The biggest red flag to me is the coin's weight. Could this thing be counterfeit?

I'd like your opinions about everything. Feel free to be blunt. I can take it. I have included photos in various light intensities, to show as much as I can.

Thanks!

CommemDude

Lots of damage and cleaning on that coin, which seems to be true of most draped bust quarters, and you should return the coin for a refund . Only buy a slabbed coin but even then you'll need to be discerning because most are problematic.

bigjpst

Coin looks authentic B5? Ebay seller's photos show the damage, but you are right, the coin looks much better from thier photos than yours. Buying a raw coin that expensive from a low feedback seller was a gamble for sure. Looks like there are a couple of F12 1806 quarters certified for just a little more than you paid for this coin listed right now. Maybe those are a better option.

asheland

I agree it looks real but lots of issues... I'd return and get a slabbed example.

Manifest_Destiny

Agree with the others, it will never straight grade, too much damage.

Morgan13

I am sure now that it is in your possession it might feel tough to let it go but you really should send it back and buy a graded coin.
Your patience will pay off in the long run.

golden

If you can return it do so.

seatedlib3991

Any time I find myself having to sell myself on a coin after getting it, I know down the road I am going to regret keeping it. May seem like a hassle to return but could be for the best. Sorry, don't know much about most Bust coins so can only give generic feedback James

marmac

I'd return that in a heartbeat. For the price you paid you are more than in the ballpark to find a nice original and encapsulated example of that issue.

RLSnapper

Return it. You paid too much for a coin that is damaged. There is a big difference between a coin with a few dings and a coin like yours.

Project Numismatics

I don’t think that coin would straight grade - likely come back as graffiti or scratched.

hchcoin

I would send that one back if I could.

kaz

If you can return it do so asap.

JRocco

Any coin regardless of condition is a good buy at the right price. That said that is too high a price for this coin IMO.

spyglassdesign

Not sure about quarters but it seems 90% of draped bust coins from those early years are damaged if not one, multiple ways. Finding the straight grade is always tough, and near impossible raw. If you have to have a straight grade then you have to buy slabbed. If an old cleaning and a rim ding are no big deal, there are plenty of those (relative to straight graders).

I'm with the others, return it as it's just not what you are looking for. As @seatedlib3991 said, if you are unsure, or have to convince yourself... Don't keep it.

manlye1

Saw this one on ebay, it's a B-10 which is a rarer one. There is no way that will straight grade.

TPRC

While the blurry rim pic scares me, it looks real to my eye. And it is damaged.

BillJones

I would say that it is genuine, but it has lots of issues. It has been cleaned and will not grade. I think that the parallel by the stars are adjustment marks, so they are not a problem. All of the other stuff are issues.

Here is an early half dime with a similar look and more design detail. NGC would not grade this piece because of cleaning.

jedm

You're pretty gutsy aren't you? Buying a $900 coin off of ebay that's not certified. I certainly am not trusting enough of photos on ebay to trust my grading skills against another person's integrity at honest depiction of a coin's real appearance. I am thinking you should take heed of the advice given by earlier posters to send the coin back asap.

grote15

To buy a raw coin like that on ebay from an unvetted seller like that is pretty risky and worth a gamble only if you are able to get it at about half its value which is not the case here.

Bustquarterhound

B-10 R-5 variety but with all the other problems it also looks to have a slight bend to it.

1peter1223

Good that you returned it .

BTW-It's back up on eBay .
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285497036161