Whazzup with the funny looking surface on my 1799 dollar

notwilight

For those of you who are bored with platinum discussion and for me to have somthing to do while I wait for the first auction of PCGS70 set of the current platinum coins to close, I thought I'd post this 207 or 208 year old bullion coin for people to comment on. I've tried to photograph and post it before and haven't been happy with photos. I'm still not happy with these so you may get to see it again down the line.

So why does the coin seem to have a mottled or grainy appearance? Do you think it would slab? And if you're thinking about attributing it I've already been told it's a BB-152, B15, R3.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Jerry

NumisOxide

Looks like it has moderate corrosion.

I'm pretty sure it will BB at PCGS & NGC. I would send it to NCS or ANACS for a NET grade or enjoy it raw.

itsnotjustme

I am no expert on these, but I would get a book and try to be sure it is genuine. The denticles look odd to me, as does the eye.

CaptHenway

It's genuine, and not that bad. Could be some old porosity, with some circulation after it occured.
TD

notwilight

It'snotjustme,
Thanks for your honest comment. There are things about the coin that look wierd to me too. For example the area between UNITED and the denticles has a lot of metal smearing lines. But search Heritage for bb-152 and there are currently 3 of them. This link might work. The denticles and eye look just like the AU-53 one (only not as nice). I can even match up thin denticles such as the one above the left side of the E.

I think it is real but only after looking at these examples of the same variety.

Thanks,
Jerry

itsnotjustme

Good, glad it is real. The metal smear wasn't what bothered me. I;ve seen that often from worn dies. The uneveness is what bothered me.

Coxe

Yep, it is a BB-152 beyond any doubt. The cracks in STATES and branch break are unmistakable. I like it. Sure, it has been cleaned in the past, but so what and what ones haven't been? Nice looking coin.

Myqqy

Very sweet coin- I think it would be asinine if a coin with that type of significance was kept out of a slab because of a minor "problem"....

clackamas

<< <i>It'snotjustme,
Thanks for your honest comment. There are things about the coin that look wierd to me too. For example the area between UNITED and the denticles has a lot of metal smearing lines.
Jerry >>



That smearing is common coins from that era, it would not worry me.

notwilight

Thanks all. The explanation I like best so far is Capt Henway's (what's a henway?) suggestion that it might have been corroded and then had some circulation after that. Imagine the kid who found this dollar along the road in 1815.

The comment Iike best is from our Steeler fan who thinks that a minor problem shouldn't keep this coin out of a slab. I am a fan of net grading rather than the old bb for that reason.

Thanks guys,
Jerry

coinkat

Interesting coin... will it slab? I think it is a close call

CaptHenway

<< <i>Interesting coin... will it slab? I think it is a close call >>



Just remember, it doesn't have to slab. Many collectors would cherish it just as it is.
TD

AuldFartte

<< <i>

<< <i>Interesting coin... will it slab? I think it is a close call >>



Just remember, it doesn't have to slab. Many collectors would cherish it just as it is.
TD >>



I'm one of 'em

GoldenEyeNumismatics

moderate corrosion, but definitely genuine and an original coin!

notwilight

<< <i>

<< <i>Interesting coin... will it slab? I think it is a close call >>

Just remember, it doesn't have to slab. Many collectors would cherish it just as it is. TD >>



I've enjoyed this coin slabless for 10 years now but I'm always thinking and it might be fun to get it into a nice slab. I'm certainly not the kind to keep submitting it time after time trying to get lucky.

Thanks for your helpful comments. --Jerry

mcheath

i think it would slab at pcgs or ngc. they often let things like moderate corrosion pass in a the early bust series. that being said there is no reason to slab it unless you plan on selling it.

IrishMike

Nice die clash on the reverse.