A request for opinions from US-PI collectors.

IloiloKano

Since US-PI coinage has many weakly struck specimens, I wish the opinion of those collectors who would be most familiar and experienced with the reduced size Pesos in the category of AU and higher. I just won a 1912s Peso on eBay that was described as being in AU condition, and I am quite happy with the price I paid, even if it turns out to be XF45 with luster. However, would some of you hazard a guess as to the liklihood of this coin grading AU58 or higher? I would especially appreciate input from FilamCoins, Justhavingfun, NonCents and others, but please, and this is particularly for those much more well off than myself, don't trash it just because it may not be (and likely isn't) mint state. I can't afford any better, and I am breaking my budget just to shoot for an AU set, in the various denominations. Except for the handful that are too rich for me even when harshly cleaned with only Fine details, such as the 1906 S Peso.

Anyway, here is the link to the auction, and I hope for honest opinions, though the picture doesn't show the level of detail I'd like. When it arrives, I post the best quality pictures I can take.

ebay auction of AU? 1912 S Peso

With my wife presently Just Having Fun in Iloilo and me stuck here without her smiling face.

IloiloKano

Justhavingfun

Dear IloIloKano:

Hi, from Manila! I have enough difficult grading these coins in person. I was just looking over some new acquisitions and comparing them with older ones. The MS 66's generally appear better than the MS65s, but I have an 1916-S 20 centavo in MS65 that's nicer (to me) than my MS66. And when I get to MS63 versus 64, I have enormous difficulty distinguishing one from the other. NGC and PCGS are just not consistent.

With that said, I think the coin is a clear AU. There's rub in Lady Liberty's breast and left thigh. Ditto for the eagle's chest feathers on the reverse. So it ain't unc.

And if you check the tell-tales, you can see it's still in beautiful condition. To wit: Lady Liberty's toes are complete and separate. 95% hair. And the eagle's feathers, other than on the chest, looked good. So I'd say AU55 to AU58.

However .... the coin, especially on the obverse, has an unnatural look to it, which may be a marker that it's been dipped, cleaned, or whizzed. I'm probably wrong about that. I HOPE I'm wrong. If I am, I think you have a very nice AU on your hands.

Best wishes.

FilamCoins

Hi Ilo! Kamusta Po? The coin has some nice details and color, however, I have to agree with the Godfather. From the photo, the skin looks a little unnatural; a little too shiny and a little too much rub in some areas. If you end up with an original, uncleaned AU 12-S, you've done very well! However, if it has been cleaned and shined, it will be worth about 10 cents on the dollar, so maybe $50-100. Keep going. You're building a nice collection. Mabuhay!

IloiloKano

With replies from two of the most respected in this field (and I forgot to include USAROK, sorry), I am very pleased with your comments. I am also hoping for it being natural, but the seller seems to be among the better on eBay, as I am sure you know most would have hyped the coin as MS65, especially when they hype VF coins harshly cleaned as being AU++/UNC. I don't know why they cause my blood to boil, since I don't buy from them anyway.

I thought it had a shot at being MS58, and it still may turn out that way, but as I said, I'll be happy with XF45 if that is toned luster, rather than an unnatural surface due to dipping, just as long as it doesn't exhibit those damn parallel hairlines common to so many in this category. But I guess that is why there are Conditional Rarities galore in gathering such a collection.

I hadn't noticed the wear that was pointed out, but I did think I saw wear in the horizontal lines at top left and right on the shield, which is also a point of first wear.

When it arrives, I intend to share much better images with this group, since I don't believe I'll be able to afford a better one of this date. Now on to the elusive 1911-S in AU...of course at a price that I can afford.

Filam and JHF, my wife is in Manila NOW, on business, and I MISS her! (928-326-4316 - while she is there, leaving Tuesday morning to come back to me!) Call her and tell her Steve says hello, and he hasn't been able to get through.

And Filam, thanks for adding "Po". I notice such things.