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The secret to numismatic happiness

tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I just got back from PCGS the proof seated dollar I purchased at ANA:

image

Now that I look at the coin in controlled lighting, I can see why it graded 64. The mirrors are deep and flashy, but there are light scattered lines on both obverse and [especially] reverse. The secret to numismatic happiness? Only view the coin in fluorescent lighting - looks like a superb ultra gem at 1/3 the price! image
Early Dollar Set

Comments

  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    I don't know -- I think that coin would make me happy in *any* kind of lighting. image
  • mrpaseomrpaseo Posts: 4,753 ✭✭✭
    That coin is beautiful, I wouldn't mind having that in my collection even at a 64.
    Ray
  • ccrccr Posts: 2,446
    The only thing I can say is WOW! The Obverse is amazing and the way they should look but, unusual to find that way. Great detail!
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I tend to gravitate toward 64CAM early proofs. Proof Seated Dollars This seems to be the perfect fit for quality and eye appeal for the seated dollars. The higher grades are almost always too dark - after all, if a silver coin goes 150 years without being cleaned, it tends to darken up a bit. The older I get, the less I can see the hairlines anyway! image

    The fact that they are less expensive just sweetens the pot! image

    Early Dollar Set
  • ERER Posts: 7,345 ✭
    Buy what you like, enjoy what you buy. Looks like you did both.
    It 's beautiful!image
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,647 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow! Ya gotta love attractive well struck "gems" no matter what grade they're in.
    Tempus fugit.
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The older I get, the less I can see the hairlines anyway! image >>


    If you want to be able to see the hairlines again, try reading glasses.
    (I'm just about there myself image )
  • dragondragon Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
    That's a very pretty coin, the rev. looks heavily cameoed under the toning, and the obv. looks to be only very marginally cameoed. Maybe it's just the lighting, or the toning on the obv. is heavier and obscures the frost on the devices somewhat.

    dragon
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Only view the coin in fluorescent lighting - looks like a superb ultra gem at 1/3 the price! >>



    Something I learned the hard way after getting back from shows with my "winners" and checking them under good lighting. Now I carry an example coin with me that meets minimum cameo standards so I can compare.

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • FrattLawFrattLaw Posts: 3,290 ✭✭
    The secret to numismatic happiness?

    Lots of money??????

    Michael
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dragon: it's a trick of the photo. The obverse is just as heavy cameo as the reverse - a near miss DCAM. No toning on the devices - they are white and frosty.
    Early Dollar Set
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The secret to numismatic happiness? Only view the coin in fluorescent lighting - looks like a superb ultra gem at 1/3 the price!

    I learned that same lesson big-time at the 1988 Cincy ANA auction.
    The lighting in the huge auction hall was terrible....even after I had the lights turned down. It didn't matter. Once I got my winning lots back to the hotel room I nearly fainted. I was off by a grade on 2/3 of the coins I had purchased. And nearly all of them were raw. Ended up losing $8K on that sale. Major bummer.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • SethChandlerSethChandler Posts: 1,705 ✭✭✭✭
    I remember that coin TDN. Very Lively. When you showed it to me, I too, thought it was a Gem.

    A perfect coin in relation to the fine balance between great coin////great price.


    Seth
    Collecting since 1976.
  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,724 ✭✭✭
    Been there, done that...It's amazing how different light can alter appearances. Somtimes I just take a coin to the window for a sunlight view and find it very revealing.
    image
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sunlight is the perfect idiot check for hairlines. If they're there, you'll see them!
    Early Dollar Set
  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    << Somtimes I just take a coin to the window for a sunlight view and find it very revealing. >>

    SaintGuru: I totally agree with you on the above. It works great during sunny days, but is a challenge for me on cloudy days and at night. image

    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    That reverse looks awesome.
    Blog and Pics
  • ColonialCoinUnionColonialCoinUnion Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭
    Always something good to read when TDN posts.
    Coin Rarities Online
  • coynclectercoynclecter Posts: 2,111
    You can take one of those little Halogen flashlights in the show.It can be very revealing. Maybe save you from a mistake too.
  • NumismanicNumismanic Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The secret to numismatic happiness? >>



    Buy another coin. Thats the only thing that seems to work for me. image

    That still is a very pretty Seated dollar TDN image
    Don

    U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes

    U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes

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