Little help grading this Indian cent...please

Bosox48

I'm trying to learn how to grade a Indian cent. What would this coin grade, and why. Are the diamonds a key point in grading?
Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Jim

mgoodm3

AU damaged

RichieURich

I would go with AU-50 damaged. It would probably sell for the price of a nice VF.

ziggy29

I'd say about AU-55 details -- probably -- but damaged and probably worth high VF to low EF money at best.

The diamonds can be a tool to help in the grading, but some MS examples don't even have full diamonds. The best place to look for wear on a nearly MS Indian cent is on the hair curl just below the ribbon. That tends to be the first place an IHC wears. Here are the first spots to look at for wear on an IHC's obverse, in addition to looking for luster breaks on the cheek:

tjkillian

Only slight trace of wear, particulary on the hair above the ear, cheek and the lower hair curl.

AU-58, but it has been damaged.

Tom

jdimmick

Au-55 with surface damage

majorbigtime

<< <i>AU damaged >>



DITTO

Elcontador

Re the four diamonds, it depends on the dates. From what I've seen, IHCs minted 1900-1909 (P)usually have diamonds that are struck up well. Tom Killian knows this series very well & perhaps he can comment on this.

lordmarcovan

RX00.

(Red-X).