Help me grade this Columbian Half

Blackhawk

I was offered this 1893 Columbian and would like to ask your opinion before I make a commitment. I know that the pics aren't the best for grading, but give me a ballpark if you can.

Thanks,
Bill

mbbiker

That looks really nice, i would GUESS MS-66 It's only a guess because i can't tell if the coin has been cleaned, whizzed, lasered..... or any other thing people do to coins.

Russ

Does it really look like that in hand?

Russ, NCNE

MadMarty

That is one nice looking coin!!!

MrEureka

At the risk of sounding like a wiseass, however anyone else answers, if you think we can even come close to grading that coin accurately from that picture, you are not ready to be buying raw uncirculated coins.

oreville

Cannot ascertain the luster on this coin so I can't even venture to guess notwithstanding MrEureka's post.

Only a personal inspection will do for this coin.

itsnotjustme

Very tough to tell. Most likely I'd say body bag--luster does not look right. If the luster is all there and it is not cleaned/treated, I'd venture a guess of 66/67. Need to see in person on that though.

BillJones

As MrEureka says, how can you grade from a picture? But if you twist my arm I'd say this coin has been cleaned by looks of it in way that will not take it to the top of the charts. I could be wrong, but original Columbians are not supposed to look like this.

Blackhawk

I guess I'll buy it and try sending it in. In hand it does look like the photo. The guy has 1 more 93 and a 92 in about the same shape, so I'd like to see if it passes muster before I make a purchase.

jonesy

Dipped, probably MS65.
Glenn

Blackhawk

I don't think that there's a whole lot of 110 year old coins that look like this without being dipped

itsnotjustme

By cleaned/treated I don't mean dipped. I mean puttied, polished, mercury treated or other to give the coin a "better" appearance.

sinin1

There are a couple big marks at the front of the ship in the field - reeding or?

The light does funny things with that angle - probably MS if not worked on

MS62-65??

byergo

PQ MS66

smprfi

ms67

NumisEd

blackhawk, I have owned many uncirculated Columbian halves (because that's all that I can afford!). My humble opinion is that the Columbian in your picture does not look right. Something is very wrong. Don't buy it. If you want an MS-65 or better Columbian, you should buy a PCGS, NGC or ANACS certified one. Although, I must warn you that you must double check their grading since even the "top" grading services can be off by 2 or 3 Sheldon points in their grading. In other words, do NOT pay a premium for an MS-66 certified Columbian.

darktone

The coin has no luster left and has been worked on but I see coin' like this in 62 holders but no higher. mike

Outhaul

Ditto BillJones...I've seen many Columbians and this is definately one is definately not original. While I would not speculate on the grad from a picture, I will say that this one has been cleaned.

Cheers,

Bob

kobrakoins

It looks cleaned

Draco

Someone did an excellent job cleaning that coin. . .


The snake that bit the reverse of it at the 8:30 position will probably cause it to lose a few points.

Iwog

Blast white Columbians in MS look like this.

dorkkarl

looks like a heavily dipped coin. ms-62

if it's a problem w/ the digi-pic (ie. it has stunning luster in-hand), then maybe ms-66+

always bear in mind the fundamental rule on buying coins: do not buy coins sight-unseen

K S

btw, i think the pcgs grade on the coin right above my post is generous

Draco

<< <i>always bear in mind the fundamental rule on buying coins: do not buy coins sight-unseen >>



If I followed that rule, I'd own about three coins. I've been burned, but I've also gotten great deals.

AquilaRose

Wow, the luster is way off on that one according to the pic. It does look unnatural. What I mean is that you can't even see the natural imperfections in luster that occur on a whit coin like that. The surfaces look almost lasered or blasted somehow. Would have to see this one inperson.

dorkkarl

<< <i><< always bear in mind the fundamental rule on buying coins: do not buy coins sight-unseen >> If I followed that rule, I'd own about three coins. I've been burned, but I've also gotten great deals. >>

if your willing to accept the consequences, then more power to you!

K S

Blackhawk

I have to plead ignorance on the grading of commemorative half dollars, but there seems to be alot of marks on the MS65 shown. Are these coins generally baggy?

Iwog

Yes, they tend to be baggy but coin looks a lot nicer than the picture. High resolution closeups aren't very photogenic, but I wanted to show the luster and frost. Here's another one in PCGS 64.

BillJones

Many collectors don’t appreciate it or realize it, but ANY Columbian half dollar that has nice to great luster and very few marks is a scarce and outstanding coin. Sure they are common overall, but really nice examples are not.