how badly do old scratches affect grades on bust halfs?

Tonedbuff

Here is my example:


I seem to notice a lot of these crusty halves in circulated condition have scratches.
Does this render then ungradable and of little value?
I picked this up as part of a 'junk buy' for about $3.

richardshipp

Sorry to hijack your post, but I want to know as well. Here's mine......

BillJones

The coin grades VG/Fine. In that grade the scraches don't bother me very much, but some collectors would have a cow over them. One negative is that the scratch on the bust is fairly straight, so that implies numismatic damage, like a staple scratch. It's not that; it's a pin scratch, but some folks might think that. Let's face it. This coin got a lot circulation and stuff happens.

I'd say that the coin is worth VG money with the mark. It's also got a rim bump at 8 o'clock, which would bother some.

Tonedbuff

I can't imagine a reason to holder something like this, but if it was sent to PCGS... would it holder, or BB?

JrGMan2004

<< <i>I can't imagine a reason to holder something like this, but if it was sent to PCGS... would it holder, or BB? >>

If I sent that coin in and they bagged it, I would be pissed! Gorgeous original coin, a few light scratches, but they're not horrible looking. And best of all, it hasn't been cleaned or dipped...

Tonedbuff

I agree, it is a great looking coin in terms of originality... not really in bad shape in terms of detail either. Too bad someone decided to scratch the darned X in the thing...

Tonedbuff

Also, in terms of grade (seperate from netting out the scratch) I'd have thought this a technical VF.
Can anyone who specializes in these verify the grade?

OKbustchaser

They holdered this one (before I UN-holdered it). They simply net-graded it to F-12 without mentioning the scratches.

ziggy29

Most collectors assume that the more wear a coin has, the more dings, scratches and scuffs it can have and still be "acceptable" for the grade. Most price guides assume "typical" pieces for the grade, and that often means the lower the grade, the more hits, scratches and blemishes are "acceptable".

Given the grade of these Busties, I don't think the problems are excessive for the grade, especially given the originality of the surfaces.

As far as whether it would slab, given the age of the coin and that there is considerable wear, it would have a decent shot to slab where as an AU Walker (for example) with these marks would likely BB. It might be quietly "net graded" downward 1/2 to 1 grade. But most circulated bust halves are definitely best enjoyed raw, IMO.

dorkkarl

those are deterimental enough to cost about $10

K S

DNADave

Why did people put big X's on these coins back then? (Most seem to be contemporary)


I don't see any today done like that. Maybe I'll start.

dorkkarl

they were scratched or gouged to ensure it was'nt really a copper planchet counterfeit w/ silver plate

K S

Tonedbuff

I had not heard that reason for scratching them. Interesting idea.
By the way, here is a more realistic pic of how the coin appears in hand. The blow ups make everything more noticable.

When viewed in hand without magnification, the scratch is noticable, but barely.

So, again, ignore the scratch for a moment. Would this coin be F, or low end VF?

ziggy29

<< <i>Why did people put big X's on these coins back then? (Most seem to be contemporary) >>

Probably to make sure they were real silver coins and not a contemporary counterfeit made out of base metal.

fcloud

The one I sent in with old scratches was bagged! It might depend on how many times you send it in. LOL

dorkkarl

it's enormously stupid to "bodybag" a scratched bust coin. those scratches were a NORMAL part of monetary circulation at the time, just like circulation nicks, bagmarks, wear, whatever.

but gee, why would coin collectors appreciate coins for what they're supposed to be, right? the pla$tic around the coin is much more important

K S

mozin

If a rare marriage, these to scratched CBHs would certainly have value, and shoud be encapsulated by ANACS instead of PCGS/NGC body bag.

These two coins are not rare marriages, and therefore not worth encapsulating fees.

Back in 1999, I bought a nice 1810 VF25 Capped Bust Half. Someone gently scratched "HI" into the obverse. Coin looks pretty nice---from about four feet distance. I paid $4 for it.

No need to buy damaged CBHs when there are so many nice coins readily available on internet auctions. I do NOT include ebay in this internet auction group.

ladyship

I agree with Mozin if they were R 5 +s ,the scratches don't matter that much,Of course it would be better if they were not so prominent, Seems the grading companies are very tough on scratches across the busts and in the fields, they are much more lenient on scratches that come off the edges and go through the lettering. Of course with pics this size any little scratch takes on the proportion of the Grand Canyon.