Heritage vs. Fortin Images of 1866-S PCGS MS65 dime

Dismeguy

I thought forum members might enjoy seeing the differences between auction house based and collector generated photographs of the same coin. Case in point is an 1866-S PCGS MS65 dime recently purchased from Heritage. First I will show the Heritage images, then the Fortin images. My images are used within the www.seateddimevarieties.com web-book.

When I look at this dime under natual light, my images are clearly more reflective of the coin's true color and luster.

What do you think? How would the differences between these images affect your internet bidding?

Heritage images



Fortin images



I've bought a significant number of seated dimes from Heritage and ANR. In nearly all cases, my own photographs appear to be more consistent with the natural light appearance (color and luster) of the coins. All my seated dimes are shot under natural light (outside in the yard)!

RYK

I did not have to open the thread to learn that the Fortin images would be more representative and more attractive than the Heritage images.

Barry

Hard to say without seeing the coin. I'm usually a big critic of Heritage's photography, but in this case it isn't bad. I like your reverse better, but your obverse pic hides some of the dings - for example on Liberty's left arm. I wouldn't call it a 65 from either pic.

Longacre

Isn't Fortin in China these days? Not bad for a pic from halfway around the world.

ziggy29

<< <i>Isn't Fortin in China these days? Not bad for a pic from halfway around the world. >>

Actually, he's on vacation in the states through Memorial Day.

Dismeguy

Couple of comments to the board......

Barry...its so easy to be critical of posted coins...you have to see this dime in person to understand the MS65 grade. How many 66-S mint state dimes have you seen by the way? I've seen at least five ranging from MS62 through MS65. This coin is superior to the others including an MS64 example currently in the #2 PCGS seated dime registry set.

Yes, Gerry Fortin is on home leave in Maine through Memorial Day. Not enough time to catch up on web-book listing and numismatic relationships. I've missed being active on the PCGS forum, rather using most of my free time in China to grow the seated coinage message boards at my website.

Barry

Gerry - Don't take my comment the wrong way. The first sentence in my post was "Hard to say without seeing the coin." I certainly believe what you're saying (know your grading skills when it comes to Seated Dimes), but from the pic it doesn't look like a 65.
Once you get above 63 or 64, grading from a pic is almost impossible.

Dismeguy

Barry...I'm ok on your original comments. Yes, grading any mint state coin from a scan or digital image is questionable. Look at eBay and the perils there.

seateddime

I think it is a heck of a nice coin and Gerry's pictures clearly are much better. Just my opinion only.