Interesting Auction Purchase Today: 1897 S Half Dollar

7Jaguars

This was a fun purchase today, and took a bit of a risk on picture quality which I will share - whatcha all think? Bit of a ding on cheek & a bit of toning and/or friction….

291fifth

It looks like a nice coin that will get either an AU55 or AU58.

coinkat

Terrific coin- congrats. I would be at 58 provided that the images represent the coin accurately. I would definitely submit if it is raw.

Davidk7

Agreed with 55/58, would want better pics to confirm though. Surfaces look okay.

coinbuf

Rev looks AU58 but the obv holds it to AU55 or lower depending on the luster and any evidence of an old cleaning which I cannot discern from these photos.

7Jaguars

The auction house graded it VF! Well bidding went a lot higher though. I will post in hand pictures of this raw coin on arrival.

Cougar1978

Looks real nice - it’s VF? Was going to say AU.

Irregardless send it in looks much nicer than VF.

7Jaguars

They said VF - well I bought an 1872 S half from them that was also designated "VF" and graded by hosts as MS63!!!
I don't think this is mint state, but AU 55 is what I would grade based on pictures.

Related: an excellent tie-breaker is to look at the edges of the coin, the milling, denticles, etc.

Mr_Spud

It does look like a nice AU55 coin to me. What’s with the textile pattern? It’s almost like the coin is translucent and the textile pattern behind the coin is showing through. Or is this a picture taken of a computer monitor and that’s just a pixelation pattern from the monitor 🤔

johnny9434

A nice clean coin 🪙, I'll go 55/58 as well. I like 👍

7Jaguars

I took the picture off my computer monitor, so sorry for the poor quality.