$2 1/2 liberty AU58

darktone

Here's a neat looking $2 1/2 liberty I am trying to grade by a small picture. mike

$2 1/2 liberty

Dog97

I say you're right since the color of the fields is not the same color as the areas protected by the device elements; which indicates wear.

darktone

Dog97- that's what I was thinking at first too but the color stays the same through stars five-eight and through the date area. These are some of the most protected areas so I wonder if this could be toning? thanks mike

Placid

The rims look like they have some good hit's,some of the stars look flat.
Is that a scratch above the head? Almost looks like initals above the eagle trc or something below the tes in states.
There is also a line going from the mouth to the eye, probably a hair on the holder or something.

darktone

Placid- I just enlarged the picture on my computer and I think what appears to be rim hits on the upper obverse is just the cellophane in the 2x2 but I do see a rim nick at 6:00 on the reverse. I see the area above the the head you pointed out but I can't really tell? that area seems too be a magnet for marks on liberty gold. I see what looks like a scratch between the last star and the date. thanks mike

Dog97

darktone it could possibly be toning but probably light rub. I wouldn't swear to it though 2.5 is tough enough to grade when you're looking at it in hand. Here's a slabbed 58 to compare with:

darktone

Dog97- I sure wish I had a picture of this 61 as clear as the 97 you have pictured. I really like the $2 1/2 liberty's of the 1890's all can be bought for under $200 in low grades with the highest mintage year only about 30,000 pieces and the lowest only about 2,500 minted. That would make a nice affordable short set. thanks mike