What numerical grade would you give to this important Seated Half?
opportunity
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A handful of you may remember my previous post about the absolute monster 1847/6 Half Dollar that a friend of mine has, in which about 22% of you voted that it could end up straight graded as is.
So while not impossible, the majority think it's a bit too cleaned (it is in a cleaned holder at present). Well, I had a chance to see it in person today at a local coin shop. My opinion didn't change all that much. The cleaning isn't abrasive, but rather it seems just a touch too shiny to make the cut. I also think that with some persistence, it could straight grade, but may benefit more from a few years in an old envelope.
Anyway, my current question to everyone here is this--what details grade would you give this coin, regardless of whether you think it's too cleaned or not? I'm actually kinda sorta in the process of acquiring it, and would consider myself to be much better at attribution than I would grading.
Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.
Comments
AU details, they won't add a number for a details grade coin.
Voted AU50 but more of a details coin
Latin American Collection
XF details. Not AU because it’s been dipped to death
Just on details, I think it has a bit too much wear for 58, so I'd call it a 55.
That's not how details works. If you ignore the problem, what level of details does the coin have? If you want to assign a straight grade and factor in a coin's issues, that's where you end up with an overdipped coin carry a low grade for the details it has. For the question the OP asked, your answer is double dipping.
Yes, you are correct. Still looks like XF details to me, maybe XF45
There is enough rub on the legs of Liberty to warrant a grade of choice AU (55),, unfortunatley luster plays a large role when setting AU grades. It appears to have just barely enough luster to make the 50 grade, probably due to the cleaning. Very nice coin all the same. James
With that much hair detail, I'd have to say at least AU55. But what do I know? Lol!
My Carson City Morgan Registry Set
AU 50 details, net VF25. Harshly cleaned with excessive marks for the grade.
AU55 details, cleaned.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I voted 53 but it would not straight grade.
Cool coin, but an AU should have plenty of luster, at least in protected areas. I don't see any on this one, so I don't think any amount of time sitting in an envelope will help. AU details.
I wouldn’t rely on the details grade but what is the coin priced at. You’re trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. It is what it is.
The details look good for a 55 to me.
AU Details
I don't think I can see at as greater than a 45 as there isn't much luster left, regardless of the details ... although some may call it a AU5n / Cleaned.
It could straight-grade someday, but really would need time to breathe first I think.
My 2c ...
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
It has AU details, But it looks somewhat cleaned (not too badly).
Also there might be some very light graffiti to the upper left of the Eagle.
I think it would be worth EF money, so that is the grade I would give it.
.
What's with what looks like extra numbers in the date? 🤔
I voted XF 45 details. But I suppose AU 50 details wouldn’t be out of line. I don’t see it in a straight graded holder.
My Ebay Store
Oops. I net graded instead of details graded. Nevertheless, my vote is on the left outlier of the bell curve.
I wasn't trying to neg the coin or be a troll.
45 Obv./ 55 Rev. Harshly Cleaned.
AU55. If purchased for resale value, then I wouldn't. If purchasing for preferential collection, I would. I like the coin. JMo
Jim
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AU53 Details, Harshly Cleaned.
Regardless of the number, the cleaning will always take precedence.
Coin Photographer.
Those of you in the XF (details) camp are being too strict. For comparison purposes, here’s an AU details example that sold last November:
Members of the “harshly cleaned” camp are also too strict. In most cases, coins aren’t noted as
“harshly cleaned” unless they’re noticeably more abused than the subject example.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
If getting the coin in a holder is the objective, selecting Genuine might be a reasonable alternative just to have the variety recognized. I would be more receptive to a details grade with a coin that has an original look with a scratch or some type of imperfection that would preclude a straight grade. This is the same coin that I suggested was a good candidate for 7070 set. A type set can be what you make it in terms of selecting varieties for certain coin series.
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I can agree with me being a bit harsh at xf45 shot at AU 50.
Its also possible that this coin probably should have been XF details 🤔
My Ebay Store
Two wrongs do not make a right.
What looks like rub on the leg and breast could be just a weak strike and many coins in the seated series suffer from weakness in those areas. The problem is that the cleaning makes determining if luster is broken (thus friction/wear) or not fully struck moot, thus I went with AU58 details.
The real issue is not what the details grade is but rather at what grade would you/I be willing to buy it. Given the irreversible damage from the cleaning I would not pay over what I would pay for a problem free XF40.
My Collection of Old Holders
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CaptHenway Posts: 32,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
February 6, 2025 9:57PM
@MFeld said:
Those of you in the XF (details) camp are being too strict. For comparison purposes, here’s an AU details example that sold last November:
Members of the “harshly cleaned” camp are also too strict. In most cases, coins aren’t noted as
“harshly cleaned” unless they’re noticeably more abused than the subject example.
>
Two wrongs do not make a right.
Before posting, I looked at pictures of multiple XF and AU examples. The subject coin appears to display very little actual wear.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
XF Details. I suspect your lighting, combined with the coin's surfaces, enhance the presentation of noise on the coin.
Acknowledged that your half dollar shows great detail. Here is an XF45 for comparison:
Looks like a nice AU
Polished/cleaned XF
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