I think PCGS undergraded this 1901 O.

bidask

I am debating whether it should be my first ever crackout. It has a full liberty, full E Pluribus Unum, and some luster.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

It has a shot at XF40, but 95% of the time it's a VF35.

dogwood

Reverse right wing is flat. I like the Obverse for a shot though. This is old school grading.

jdimmick

Never make it, leave where it's at

Barberman55

I'd call it a strong VF-35, doesn't look like it has strong enough detail on the Eagles's wings for an XF-40.

Bochiman

First glance I would agree with the VF35.
XF40 is a shot chance...if it is financially worth it to you, play the game a bunch but don't be surprised at the expense and the chance it may never upgrade.

Coinosaurus

Wingtips not there. Nice coin tho.

Longacre

It looks like the right grade to me.

CarlWohlforth

I think it is a strong 35. Perhaps it would be a just made it 40. A full LIBERTY is only one thing. Luster is very encouraging. Perhaps the flatness at the ends of the wingtips and not enough details in the wreath keep it where it is?

I would not crack it out. Why bother? If you send to PCGS for a regrade they will crack it out and then grade it.

Who cares if PCGS and your opinion of that super coin differs by a few points? Personally I do like your coin very much and if I were trying for a competitive registry set I would just leave that coin alone and try for extra points on a cheaper date. If I were trying to maximize profits I would just be patient, attach a PQ label on the coin and stick to my guns on price. When trying to maximize profits I always consider costs... When building a collection I always look for coins that are solid for the grade, the kind of coins that people think might, one day, upgrade.

bidask

<< <i>I think it is a strong 35. Perhaps it would be a just made it 40. A full LIBERTY is only one thing. Luster is very encouraging. Perhaps the flatness at the ends of the wingtips and not enough details in the wreath keep it where it is?

I would not crack it out. Why bother? If you send to PCGS for a regrade they will crack it out and then grade it.

Who cares if PCGS and your opinion of that super coin differs by a few points? Personally I do like your coin very much and if I were trying for a competitive registry set I would just leave that coin alone and try for extra points on a cheaper date. If I were trying to maximize profits I would just be patient, attach a PQ label on the coin and stick to my guns on price. When trying to maximize profits I always consider costs... When building a collection I always look for coins that are solid for the grade, the kind of coins that people think might, one day, upgrade. >>

good point

cohodk

The first grade that jumped to mind was 35.

Very nice coin!!

ricko

VF35.... be happy... Cheers, RickO

bfjohnson

I'm with most of the group VF35. The feathers on the reverse aren't to the tips.

MFH

<< <i>I'd call it a strong VF-35, doesn't look like it has strong enough detail on the Eagles's wings for an XF-40. >>



I'm in the VF 35 camp too. If you don't like it, I'll take it off your hands for you

jcocoin

I agree with VF35 also, and like to see more detail at the wing tips for an XF.

tightbudget

I'd leave it

bidask

I am still debating to crack this coin out.....it has nice luster for a "vf" coin.

savoyspecial

>>I am still debating to crack this coin out.....it has nice luster for a "vf" coin.>>



if you REALLY feel it is undergraded, then why not go for the GOLD

STONE

Definitely will not 40, could even go high-end 30, but it is perfect where it is now!

derryb

Careful cracking it out, might end up a 30

roadrunner

If the chances of a "no grade" are zero, then it might be worth a try. But I wouldn't bother. Any knowledgeable buyer of that coin as an XF40 will be looking for hefty discount
because of the wing tips. I had a nice early draped bust half graded XF40 by PCGS. It had quite a bit of luster but was held back by some localized strike issues. While technically
it had the overall "wear" of an XF45 and even possibly an AU50 coin, it was net graded for some weakness in strike. The coin traded for XF45 money because it looked like an XF45
rather than an XF40. But I also wouldn't have cracked it because the odds of a no grade were higher than 10% imo. Judging from the response so far there are few readers who think
this 1901-0 it looks like an XF40.

That takes me back to around 1975-76 when I had a gem 1902-0 barber half I bought out of a NERCG auction. I paid close to very choice/gem money as the coin was pristine with
glowing original surfaces. But I failed to take into account the poor strike on the wingtips, claws, stars, and forelock. Yeah, it was technically as struck but I got a comeuppance when
it was time to sell. When a good friend of mine looked at the coin he honestly thought it was a VF! Shades of the Emperor has no clothes! I ultimately got MS63 money for it a
few years later. I was too mesmerized by the rarity of the date in gem to realize that being weakly struck was the major issue. It was what it was.

roadrunner

mrpotatoheadd

Supposing it was in an XF holder, would you have paid an XF price for it?

7Jaguars

Nice, but I am feeling also like risk for a 30...

bidask

<< <i>Supposing it was in an XF holder, would you have paid an XF price for it? >>

Easily....

mrpotatoheadd

<< <i>

<< <i>Supposing it was in an XF holder, would you have paid an XF price for it? >>

Easily.... >>

Then crack it out and send it in.

DIMEMAN

Cracking coins out.........is like trying to change a tire on your car going down the interstate at 70 MPH! Nothing but bad things happen!!

MFH

Almost 4 years later and you're still contemplating cracking this out. ????

Its a 35 - pure and simple - and listen to the old man's post above mine -
he knows what he's talking about.

Ok - I just bought this Half... do you think I should crack it out and send it in for a XF 45 ??





I wouldn't take the chance - then again - it cound come back a 50...LOL

mrpotatoheadd

... just to get the two images together for comparison.

Barberian

VF35! That's what it is! It is no more!

keyman64

35

PonyExpress8

In my opinion it's a nice 35 and accurately graded. As others have said the wingtips just aren't there for a higher grade.

ColonialCoinUnion

I think there is just as good a chance it comes back VF30.

coinkat

I like the 01-O more than the 08-D

The look of the 01-O hightlights wear because of the change in the color of the metal on the high points

the 08-D has an unnatural look and was likely net graded to 40

The 01-O has an original look that is worth a premium considering what many Barbers look like

In this instance the look of this 01-o is far more important than the plastic it currently resides in

PerryHall

<< <i>Never make it, leave where it's at >>



Agree. Don't waste your money.

bidask

<< <i>I like the 01-O more than the 08-D

The look of the 01-O hightlights wear because of the change in the color of the metal on the high points

the 08-D has an unnatural look and was likely net graded to 40

The 01-O has an original look that is worth a premium considering what many Barbers look like

In this instance the look of this 01-o is far more important than the plastic it currently resides in >>

Admittedly the wing tips are not all there.....but the surfaces of the 1901 O if you held it in your hand are original with a dull swirling lustrous glow.

coinkat

I have no problems with the 01-O in a 40 holder- I would not consider selling for less than 40 money- The wing tips are alittle flat because the detail was never there to begin with

291fifth

VF30 obverse, VF20 reverse.

Zoins

If you've been thinking about this for almost 4 years, what will convince you one way or the other?

UncleJoe

Sorry to rain on your parade but as others have indicated, I wouldn't crack it as I also feel that this coin is more of a 30 and definitely not a 40.

Joe.

SaorAlba

I'd leave it in the holder, IMHO it is far better to have an undergraded coin with strong eye appeal than an overgraded coin in a holder. Real collectors buy coins, not holders.

MFH

<< <i>



... just to get the two images together for comparison. >>



Here are a couple more Halves for comparison: [ both XF 40's ]




Another PCGS XF 40:



Your 1901-O in VF 35 misses an XF 40 by a Whisper - but - a Whisper is all it takes.

coinkat

Thanks for the added images and I prefer the 1901-O that was the initial subject of this thread- perhaps my view remains in the minority and that is okay

I suspect that grading from images and not having the coin in hand my have a roll in the thoughts expressed

Frankcoins

Reverse is too flat on the wings..and almost a risk of being called "corroded."