Class in session: Who can show 1911-D and Weak D Quarter Eagle difference?

dorkbar

Anybody got some photos? Is there a rule of thumb? Inquiring minds want to avoid giant money mistakes! And don't say, "Let PCGS take care of it" dang it!!!! TIA, as always.

Barndog

Look at plenty of Heritage auction archives and read their descriptions for a start. If you are considering purchase of one, view it in hand. If it looks weak, it is weak -- you have to be satisfied that the mintmark is strong before you purchase it.

dorkbar

Good idea, Barndog, I shall do so. Thanks!

(If anybody has photos, that would still be cool, too.)

kranky

I've always been mystified that there is a value difference between the normal and weak D versions. The mintmark is either there or it's not, and as long as it can be conclusively determined to be the 1911-D with a loupe (and without the need to use other die diagnostics to support the claim if the D is just not visible), I don't understand why the boldness of the mintmark affects the value.

I think there are a couple mid-1800's gold coins with strong/weak mintmark versions but I don't know if that affects the value on those.

tjkillian

Many folks who collect branch mint coins really like to be able to see the mintmark clearly. Some mintmarks, such as 1850-D half eagle, come as a normal version (easily seen) and with exceedingly weak versions that are barely decernable. I can see a reason for a discount on weakly struck mintmarks if they are REALLY hard to see.

RYK

I think there are a couple mid-1800's gold coins with strong/weak mintmark versions but I don't know if that affects the value on those.

It most certainly does. Typical examples would be the 1850-C and 1850-D half eagles which often come with weakly-struck mintmarks. They can be so weak that you can only detect them with a loupe and can often be purchased for as little as half the price of a bolder mintmark coin. They also appear to be less liquid in the marketplace, and I encourage collectors who would like to have one piece of Charlotte of Dahlonega gold to avoid the siren call of the less expensive weak MM coins.

PerryHall

Don't forget that the mint mark is the only design feature that is raised above the field on the Indian $2 1/2 and $5. The mint mark wears off real fast since there is no raised rim on these coins to protect this design feature. A sharp distinct mintmark brings a lot more in the market place than a mintmark that is impossible to see without tilting the coin just right under a strong light.

TheRaven

RYK gave me the same advise earlier this year and I have come to think it is good advise.....

If you are going to pay all that money for that mint mark, don't you want to be able to see that mint mark, since you are paying all that money for that little mark.....