Bust quarter question - post-strike damage? (pic)

Barry

Two pics follow. First one is the complete coin in its PCGS slab. Second one is a close-up of the lower reverse.
Two issues:
1. The bottom of the C is incomplete. Is that from a partially filled die, or post-strike damage?
2. Note the little "cross" above the period. Look like graffiti to me, or is it something else? Why would PCGS slab something like that?

SDCollector

Can't help you on your questions, but nice coin. I'm having a tough time finding one I can afford for my type set.

JadeRareCoin

Going only from the images, I would answer as follows:

1. The bottom of the C is incomplete. Is that from a partially filled die, or post-strike damage?
The incomplete "C" is the result of the striking process. Probably a filled die, but definitely not post-strike damage.

2. Note the little "cross" above the period. Look like graffiti to me, or is it something else? Why would PCGS slab something like that?
I would say that those 2 marks are not graffiti, but rather 2 coincidentally occuring contact marks. In my opinion, the coin grades AU-53, meaning that it did circulate. Contact marks will happen in circulation, so having a few scattered marks on an AU coin should not be a reason to not slab a coin.

The thing that troubles me is that your coin looks like B-3, but it's missing some of the diagnostics. The main thing that is missing (or I cannot see in the scan) is the large reverse die break that extends from STATE through the field to AMERICA. It's difficult to attribute from the scan, but something doesn't seem right. Either it's a very early die state of B-3, or a new variety. According to Browning, the 1834 B-3 always has the reverse die break. Is it possible that the die was reworked early on to repair the incomplete "C", then broke shortly after being repaired??? I would need to see the coin to positively attribute it.

dorkkarl

why should insignificant little marks like that prevent grading??? totally in character w/ the way these coins circulated, which was in a pocket full of a jumble of other coins, keys, etc.

the "c" is struck like that, but the "grafitti" is common damage from normal circulation. i like the coin. au-50 imo.

K S

OKbustchaser

Barry,
Nice looking quarter...The C is as struck. I agree with Dennis as to the cross.

Dennis,
Looks like an early die state. May be imagining it, but I seem to see the beginning of a die crack though STA.
Jim

Barry

Thanks all. Appreciate the opinions. PCGS graded this an AU50.

Regarding the die crack. It is barely visible across STA, fades away, then reappears between the wing and AM, and finishes up cutting across IC, so I guess it is a relatively early die state.

Varlis

Isn't that the same coin discussed in this thread?

Barry

Sure sounds like it Varlis, but Carl took down his pics, so can't compare. The coin does have clash marks of the shield under the ear.

CarlWohlforth

It is the same coin. The cross doesn't look like two coincidentally occuring marks to me, it looked like something intentionally done.

I was amazed when I posted only a close up of that area and Varlis knew the year of the quarter. I've attached my photo using PCGS disk space this time.

dorkkarl

the scratches may or may not be intentional - but the point is it doesn't matter. this is simply a nice coin, deserving to be slabed (if your into that sort of thing), & the pcgs grade is exactly what i guessed, & appropriate.

treasure this coin. it has CHARACTER.

K S

Conder101

The marks don't appear to be coincidental. The C is as struck and it does not look like a filled die, it looks more like the C was punched into the die using a broken punch in which case all 1834 B-3 quarters should show the same broken C. If not the look for evidence that the C was hand touched up in the die after it was put into use.