MS62 or AU58? grading early gold coins:

Baley

OK, for example, here's an 1812 half eagle with a good strike, lots of luster, no real wear but it does have a bit of rub (cabinet friction, whatever you want to call it, its a darker color) on the obverse high points, as well as a few stray marks.

grade?

MadMonk

I'd go au58 for safety sake. If there arent a lot of circulation contact in the fields, it could well be low 60's. Halogen light time!

truthteller

BU coin all day long. NGC will definitely MS the coin. They grading services tend to be a bit more lenient when it comes to early gold.

TRUTH

DesertLizard

I'll buy it as an au58!!

MadMonk

By the way, It's very nice!

Baley

you'll note it's the Breen 6465 1-A variety, Close 5D, which he calls very scarce, or R4 (76-200 known)
the 6466 has a wider 5 D.and is more common in unc. apparently from an old hoard.
Also note the leftward-leaning numerals seen on many denominations 1810-1812, suggesting a left-handed apprentice in the engraving dept those years only, or he learned to punch 'em in straight.

coinkat

Baley:

Your one lucky collector if you own that coin...wow. From the picture/scan, it looks MS and better than most...

BillJones

BOTH services often grade early gold coins like this as MS. I've seen pieces like this in MS-63 holders.

As buying this coin as an AU-58, I'd say that I would definitely do that, but one rarely gets the chance. Such coins are definite crack-out candidates.

tjkillian

Because it is gold, I would cut it A LOT of slack. I would determine if it is uncirculated by the surface preservation. If it is lacking in marks due to either bag marks or circulation marks, then I would grade it uncirculated. Too many marks, AU.

Tom

RYK

Baley,

Great coin. Is it for sale?

darktone

Yes that is a nice coin. Can you post bigger pictures? mike

Baley

yes mike (darktone), here you go:



I'm sorry RYK, the coin will not be for sale until I find a better example of the type.

also, I'm in the market for a capped head half eagle (1813-1829) if anyone knows of one available.

flaminio

<< <i>I'm sorry RYK, the coin will not be for sale until I find a better example of the type. >>



"Better example" ? That could take a while! Beauty coin!

jeffnpcb

Most of those were lucky to get an XF! My 1845-O repunched date was only an XF. Very few got above AU!

darktone

Thank you

Baley

Here is another, this one graded by NGC. guess the grade?



or how about this PCGS piece, is it au or mint state?



and finally, one more image of another coin graded by PCGS, is this coin EF or AU?



what do you think, and why? if mint state, guess from MS60, 61, 62, etc. and for the last, be specific!

dorkkarl

1812: ms-61
1808: body-bag due to obvious polishing, but if it got slabed, i'd guess au-55
1809: au-55
1811: au-50

K S

Baley

ttt one more time
before I reveal what the third party graders rated these coins, any more guesses?
they are all in PCGS or NGC slabs.

boiler78

Baley- My guesses as follows
1808 MS 60-61 looks like no wear but lightly cleaned seems a lot of early gold has been lightly cleaned but still ends up in a holder somewhere
1810 Ms 62 just a WAG this one looks like it could go anywhere from 58-63 but I can't see any wear in the scan
1811 AU 55-58 light wear with slightlly subdued luster

RYK

Baley, what can I say? I like them all.

60
62
55

Great coins!

Robert

Baley

well, there was no winner in the contest, so the prize (all 3 of these coins) will have to go unclaimed.

the 1808 in NGC MS61
the 1809/8 is PCGS MS61
the 1811 is PCGS AU58

btw, just kidding about the coin giveaway, these 3 images were taken from ebay, the coins are currently listed there, and no, I am neither seller nor bidder, just like looking at these early coins.