Seated Half MS66? You make the call.

DesertLizard

Flattened stars on the obverse and all kinds of distracting marks. Is this one that slipped through? Your opinions please.

FC57Coins

Overall the coin doesn't look bad in my opinion. These were extremely low mintage coins, and to find one with original skin like this one seems to have is quite good. I'd say part of the problem is the picture, not very flattering. Remember that MS66 still allows for some flaws, and strike quality is only part of the overall grade. I'd have to see the coin in person to make a final determination, but on the whole it doesn't raise my eyebrows much.

Frank

sinin1

What's the slab say?

Stars on obverse look good except the 2 above the head - weakly struck there or worked on? Could this have been worked on in the past and work disintegrating? like a California proof that was showing up 20 years ago on MOrgans?

It is better than any of mine, I like it - what do you think , should it be MS64?

DesertLizard

It is MS66 and in the Heritage Auction next week.

mr1931S

Does extremely low mintage ever have anything to do with a coins assigned grade?...
If it does,it shouldn't... Assigning a loftier than deserved grade to a low mintage coin is illogicial...

It's tough for me to tell from the images if this coin is really MS66 (a minimal gem with some "plus") to my eye but this is really a nice coin i think and if i saw it in person would probably more-or-less agree with it's assigned numerical grade...it's a gem,at least a 65,in other words...
i do see some weakness around liberty's head...the stars around the head...i like the toning...
i don't see anything really distracting about this coin in the way of marks...

Undoubtably,this coin will bring big money because it's being called MS66...but that's another subject...

i would expect the number of survivors of this date in nice condition to be relatively high notwithstanding it's low mintage...the rarity is there but there are enough survivors out there for the collector to eventually pick and choose from to get this coin at the "right" price if you know what i mean...

lathmach

Nice looking Seated Half.

Ray

coinguy1

DesertLizard -

The partial flatness of a couple of stars does not impact the grade, in my book, at least. Also, I don't see many distracting marks, either. The area by the left (viewer's right) elbow of Ms. Liberty is a mint-made die clash, in case that is one of the "distracting marks" you were referring to.

The coin doesn't excite me, but I see nothing from the images that knocks it from the MS66 classification.

pmh1nic

I'm going to give the coin the benefit of the doubt and trust that the luster is what I'd expect to see on a 66. I don't see any major detracting marks so given the limitations of grading a photograph I won't argue with the 66.

Trime

Desert Lizard,
This is a nice but not outstanding LSMS coin.
It lacks (at least by the pic) outstanding luster nor does it have interesting toning.
It may qualify as a 66 but not a wow coin.
While there were only 12000 minted there seem to be quite a few MS available.
2 MS 66 sold at public auction in 1999 for $3600 and 4600 respectively.

gemtone65

I'll waffle a bit here and say this is one ugly coin, which for good reasons is not in either the upcoming signature or even bullet sale, and represents one of PCGs's mistakes that wouldn't possibly cross to NGC. And, what is it with the white mark on Liberty's arm? Can we find a designation for the opposite of PQ, short of overgraded?

roadrunner

I concur with Ray and Mark, the coin looks fine and I see nothing that detracts from 66 except the REV photo would not load for me.

It's sort of interesting how every little spot, localized flatness or color change is a big deal to many in the forum. That's how 95% of these are. Now if everyone here is only looking for MS66's that wow us, and have zero detracting issues, then you can understand why PQ monster coins bring 50-100% premiums. Don't expect to buy a PCGS MS66 seated half with no problems for less than $5K or so. The normal ones will run you $3500-$4200. While you can ask for any condition in modern coins and get it, it's just not the case for 19th century larger types like halves and dollars. What would you do when it came to buying bust halves or bust dollars? 99% of those have strike issues not to mention light cleaning, wiping, and irregular toning. I'm surprised any of them could sell.

roadrunner

Trime

Roadrunner,
Good points and this coin would not embarrass many collections but you are a very discriminating and critical collector whose eye for outstanding coins has been honed by many years of careful analysis. Where would this coin fall in your spectum of LS 50C pieces ( Must have; might bid; not need)?

Elcontador

While I get an error message when I try to pull up the image, I concur with Roadrunner's comment. Seated Halves minted in the 1880s typically had proof-like surfaces, so any apparent problems or marks appear magnified. If you want a nice one, you will pay a hefty premium. A year ago, Mike De Falco
had the nicest looking Seated Half in 6 I've ever seen. He wanted $5,700 for it.

If luster is outstanding on a 19th Century type coin, a few soft stars will not affect the grade. Many MS 66 Liberty Nickels have a soft star or two. I've also seen Seated Halves in 6 with missing head detail and / or numerous carbon flecks. These are low end coins, they went for around $4,000, and I would not want them in my collection. Most halves minted in between 1879 and 1890 did not circulate, so although the mintage in these years was low, they are not super scarce in MS 63-66 grades if you check pop reports.