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Gold Indian questions - Photos added

CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Are all of the design elements on the 2.5$ and 5$ gold indian coins incuse? Also, why are there no incuse denticles?

Comments

  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,718 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Are all of the design elements on the 2.5$ and 5$ gold indian coins incuse? Also, why are there no incuse denticles? >>



    The coins are basically no higher than the field of the design. So yes, everything is incuse.

    I can't even think about incuse denticles. I think the universe might implode!
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    Still learning about these but yes I beleive all design elements are incuse. I think denticles would go against the flow of the design. I have not read anything yet on why they would omit the denticles.


    Here is a decent pic for others to look at when answering your questions:
    image
  • gyocomgdgyocomgd Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭
    How about that. I would have guessed not all the elements are incuse. As the cheek and headband on the obverse and the tip of the eagle's wing on the reverse wear first and are referred to as "high points" as with any other coin, it implies they are raised above the fields.

    If the fields are highest, I have the notion there is a built-in fix for the abrasive light cleanings that are so common in this series: Just pack the coin around in your pocket for awhile until you wear the coin down a shade!


    image
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    Just to re-state what Lan-Lord said. There is no feature on this coin that rises above the fields hence the incuse design. This is by far my favorite design on U.S. coins.

    There may be some points that are darn near equal to the fields which would allow for early wear but they should not rise above the field.
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very interesting. Thanks all.
  • netrubiconnetrubicon Posts: 677 ✭
    The mint mark if there is one is NOT incuse, but this is the only exception.
    Collecting cleaned, scratched, scraped, AT and ugly POS coins for over 2 years now!
  • mhammermanmhammerman Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭
    "I can't even think about incuse denticles. I think the universe might implode!"

    It is very difficult to even think about. I'm sure it's against the law and you certainly shouldn't ever talk about it again!
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,350 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The mint mark if there is one is NOT incuse, but this is the only exception. >>



    That is why the mint mark wears so quickly----there is no raised design elements to protect it.





    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • robertprrobertpr Posts: 6,862 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I can't even think about incuse denticles. I think the universe might implode! >>



    The Universe probably will implode, the question is when.
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,442 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do not collect or deal with the quarter eagles, but the designs and characteristics look the same to me.
    The stars tend to run into the edge moreso on the half eagles, from what I see in the two. They are also my favorites !
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have seen photos of several that appear to have what I would call "hairlines" on the fields of the coin. Normally I'd say that is a sign of cleaning. All these I've seen are AU and in NGC or PCGS so I'd think cleaning wouldn't be the cause. Is this normal for lightly circulated gold indians?
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here is an example of what I mean. This is one currently up on the bay. PCGS AU50. See the hairlines?

    image
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here's another...

    image
    image
  • netrubiconnetrubicon Posts: 677 ✭
    Gold is a very soft metal. All of the circulated, non ms-indians I have seen have a lot of marks in the fields. You can still have some marks on the field and make MS. The difference is the look of the marks on the field. Spaced unevenly could mean its MS. Then again, I have quarter eagles with not a spot or hairline on the fields that dont make MS, so go figure? Maybe the strike wasnt where it should have been.
    Collecting cleaned, scratched, scraped, AT and ugly POS coins for over 2 years now!
  • relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570 ✭


    << <i>Also, why are there no incuse denticles? >>

    It depends if you are sitting on the inside or outside image
    image
    My posts viewed image times
    since 8/1/6
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭
    flat fields and also the type of look the designer was trying to convey did not necessatate including denticals
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,350 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I have seen photos of several that appear to have what I would call "hairlines" on the fields of the coin. Normally I'd say that is a sign of cleaning. All these I've seen are AU and in NGC or PCGS so I'd think cleaning wouldn't be the cause. Is this normal for lightly circulated gold indians? >>



    Yes. Fine scratches are very common since these coins don't have raised rims which would protect the fields.


    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Yes. Fine scratches are very common since these coins don't have raised rims which would protect the fields >>

    Thank you very much sir, makes perfect sense.

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