If the coin genie could correct one flaw on any coin you wished...

shylock

...which would it be? Discussion about an 1860 Indian cent in the Santa Clara sale reminded me of a coin I use to own and made me dig up an old image. It brought back the same feelings that grew stronger the longer I owned it: total heartbreak. If it were possible to "wish away" a spot on any one coin this was it for me.

Sensational strike for a copper-nickel and 1860 in particular, right down to the tips of the feathers, beautiful original color that was brighter than this early image, and completely free of contact on even the shield, denomination and cheek. It had a well concealed nick in the I of UNITED, it's only other flaw. But I would have gladly lived with that if the coin genie would have made the spot on the obverse vanish!

I realize coins are not perfect by their very nature and should be appreciated for their finer points. But when they knock on the door of perfection one pimple sucks your eye in every time. Anyone ever own one of these heartbreakers, or were you wise enough not be seduced by them to begin with?

braddick

I would ask the 'Coin Genie' to remove that annoying "COPY" mark off the back of my Gallery Mint MS67 1796 Bust quarter.

09sVDB

Change my PCGS MS65 1904 silver dollar to an 1804?

relayer

I'd like all my coins with holes in them to be made whole.

BTW - Very nice IHC. I was complaining my 1860 came back MS64, but comparing the head-dress feathers in front shows a big difference between yours and mine.



(And yeah, the coin genie would also make that purchase go away)

Pushkin

IrishMike

I had this 1955 lincoln cent that on the obverse had doubling on the front of it, it was such a nice red coin but it had all that hideous doubling on it. Seriously, for many years I owned this nice lustrous uncirculated 1932-D quarter that showed up in a tellers draw in a roll from our coin supplying bank. I took it to a show a few years back and had a dealer give me his opinion on it. He said let me send it into ANACS for you to have it graded. I'll absorb the costs, so I said yes. He showed up one day at the bank, coin in the slab, net graded AU details, whizzed. He of course knew it all along, just wanted to be able to back up what he thought. Obviously this wasn't just a spot, but only coin that I really was disappointed to the extent of the theme of this thread.

Pushkin

The pain gets worse every day. The coin is an 1877 Indian Cent that is graded AU-55. I bought it from a leading dealer after admiring it on his Web site for weeks. The coin has fantastic eye appeal, excellent strike, and even a little natural toning that is icing on the cake. AND, a small area of verdigris just to the SE of the Y in LIBERTY. It is a very small area - But it has grown to continental proportions in my eyes since I purchased the coin. My gut feeling was to return it (that would not have been the problem - the dealer is very reputable). I even talked to the dealer on the telephone about it, he was honest, but also assured me that it would have graded AU-58, except for the small area of spotting, and that is a great coin .The price was right and the dealer's assurances seemed comforting at the time.

Well, now the coin is like the ghoul under the bed that comes out from time to time causing eternal suffering, as I keep going through self-flagellation in my mind over buying the coin. If only I had gone with my instinct. The mental image of the coin is that of a beautiful, perfect for the grade, super eye-appealing key date - the reality is "I hate the coin, hate it, hate it, hate it!" That one small flaw is like a cancerous tumor that keeps growing and growing (in my mind's eye).

Oh coin genie - Please grant me just one wish.

shirohniichan

Coin Genie, please unclean my 1876 II/II trade dollar. Thanks!

LucyBop

Thats easy, Coin Fairy, make those Bell Lines full and strong on my 53s Frankie!

coppercoins

Interesting thread, but when I first read the question I took it in a different context, and will answer accordingly. I wasn't thinking in terms of a single coin, but a series. I wish the coin genie could put some sense into the heads of congress that have the legislative power to do three things:

1. Change our coin designs back into the heraldic works of art we had before the current designs were issued.
2. Change the mint's "single squeeze" die making technique back to multiple hubbing so we could have deeper relief designs necessary for #1.
3. Let me be the designer of at least one of these coins.

Fairlaneman

Real simple here also. Those little Middle Bands need to be struck stronger. Especially on the following.





About 5 or 6 others would be nice also. Dreamin I believe.

Ken

mnmcoin

I was going through some Franklin rolls, and came to a 1959 roll. As I was going through it, I saw it...there stood a magnificant specimen, comply mark free easily (I know, I know...Franklins just don't come like that...but there it was) I put the other coins down and just handled this one coin, inspecting the obverse very carefully and exactly as I thought the coin was perfect...strike, no marks, ticks or any abrasions as well as free from those ugly white pools of haze. After about three minutes of looking at it, I flip it over to look at the reverse and it was just as stunning, glancing at the Bell Lines I noticed they were indeed full as of the momentary glance I looked at them, then went on to inspect it further. I did the same thing as with the obverse twirling the coin to bring out any imperfections, and there were none...I couldn't believe it the coin was completely mark free, again with no nicks or abrasion and without those ugly white spots. I was floored the coin was easily MS67+. I couldn't believe my luck. Anyway, so I move in to inspected the lines and they are full, just a split second after I confirmed the lines were full, I just turned the coin so, and whamo!!! the biggest wheel mark I had seen right over the right tip of lines and coin. I almost fell out of my chair. So I guess, in answer to your ?, I would love the coin genie to remove that wheel mark from that reverse.

Oh well, you win some and you lose some.

morris <><

goose3

The ding below the date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shirohniichan

Come on, goose3-- if you could have any coin fixed, you'd have had your 1795 dollar de-cleaned. Oh, wait, someone already did that.

BNE

A fingerprint remnant (or some haze -- hard to tell) on a small portion of the obverse of my 1950 PR67DCAM Jeff. When I take it out, like others here, it's all I can see! I am relieved to hear that others experience the RAW HORROR of an imperfection that probably seems like no big deal to others, but weighs on their minds like the "Tell-Tale Heart."

I am starting to collect raw coins more actively now, in part because it is wearing to always be reviewing coins wondering whether that spot is getting bigger, or finding a new defect under 10x. The pain! If a coin's only MS61 to start, a fleck of dust isn't likely to change the grade. . . . what a relief!!

Pushkin

BNE, others. It has really become a "Tell Tale Heart" since I purchased a stereo microscope - Ah, the unlimited number of imperfections we can find if we only look long and hard enough for them; the never ending pain we can self-inject into this great hobby!

ClarkOfKent

If I could just get rid of those gashes on her left leg. I have the feeling I'm gonna lose my butt on this one...


Clark