What would you grade this 1853 Gold $1

mercurydimeguy

DickyBetz

AU55

MikeInFL

MS 63

NumisOxide

MS62

Longacre

63

mhammerman

I really don't see any circulation on that coin...some rubbing, a couple of dings (big one on her hair) but no circulation of note. The luster on the obverse seems continuous and well preserved. I would not be suprised to see that holder in a 64 but to me that would be good for the grade in a 63 holder. JMHO

BigD5

The overall detail looks sharp and crisp. That gouge in the hair kills it for me, as well as what looks to be a light scratch running from the nose, just below the ear and into the hair.

If she's unc., ms/61. I don't see any rub, but she seems to have a few issues. Of course, we probably couldn't see the "rub" from the images anyway.

JJM

ms62

lordmarcovan

58 would be my WAG.

mhammerman

OK, so show us the holder already.

P.S. Nice coin!

sleeper

as in PCGS holder AU58 imo. MS62 if it was NGC imo.

andrew

atarian

MS -62 SH (Sharp Hair)

michael

if in person sight seen there is no rub and little to no significant lustre breaks again sight seen then ms 63

as it is impossible to grade a gold coin like this from a photo

mozin

PCGS AU58

ms70

62

291fifth

AU55, but I don't like the ding in the hair.

mercurydimeguy

Interesting to read everyone's persective. Let me give you mine and then I'll post the current grade.

I think this coin falls in to the same category as the Seated Dime I posted about a month ago -- nice coin wrong holder. By the way the grade just posted yesterday on the seated dime and it graded MS63

This $1 gold coin has no rub and no hairlines, and very nice / unbroken luster. It's a bit baggy, having that one hit on the hair which in my opinion will define the PCGS grade. The coin won't grade higher than an MS62 because of it, but should easily grade a MS61.

The coin is currently in an AU58 holder. I'll post here in about a month to let you know what it grades.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Mike.

PS. The "ding" is undetectable with the naked eye because these things are so darn small...the giant picture makes it a lot larger than life.

fc

the dig in the hair, as 291fifth was the first to mention,
made me think of a BB (harsh). On more thought, i am unsure.
it is def AU. will the dig make it AU again. yes, i think so.

Abaco24

AU-58

Abaco24

Missed the post before I posted my answer (looked at the top) so I guess my eyes are getting better! Pleased with myself

FatMan

Grading type 1 dollars is a crap shoot. They are just too small for me to grade.

BTW, that is a real nice image of a tiny little coin.

Abaco24

Dollar envy!

mercurydimeguy

<< <i>Grading type 1 dollars is a crap shoot. They are just too small for me to grade.

BTW, that is a real nice image of a tiny little coin. >>



Thanks

Getting an "accurate" image of these tiny things is just a son of a gun...but I have lots of training on Mercury Dimes

Abaco24

Or to buy I guess

mhammerman

Ok, now I'm confused...

First, I don't collect this series but I am interested in all US gold issues, particularly grading and counterfeit detection because I do love the stuff, so here's the question...

The official ana grading standards for US coins offers the following for type I gold dollars:

ms-60 ...check points for signs of abrasion: hair near coronet, tips of leaves

ms-63 ...attractive mint luster, but NOTICABLE detracting contact marks or minor blemishes.

So the questions...how could this possible be an AU in a credible slab and the second question...why is it 62 and not a 63? Is there something I'm not getting?

I do not see any wear on the coin, there is a detraction on the coin but the hair and leaves are beautiful and pristine. The luster is particularly good on the reverse, the devices are well struck (except the 1 and 8), and the coin is attractive. What I called rub should have been called chatter or scuffing from other coins so that was a nomenclature error on my part. So, why is this a 62 and not a 63? Thanks in advance for the lesson.

construct

I agree that I don't see the wear to make this coin an AU. However, I guess I place more importance on the ding in the hair. I'd call it a 60. It is an otherwise beautiful coin, and I wouldn't be surprised by a 61; I just can't bring myself to commit to it.

tradedollarnut

AU61