question about Pan Pac 50c.

Tbar

Is the Pan Pac silver commem commonly seen with subdued luster? It seems like the ones I look at are never real flashy. They seem quite common with rim toning but even those seem to lack luster.

The reason I ask is I am eyeballing a raw coin from an old collection. It seems well struck mark free with a touch of rim toning. It has reflective surfaces but not what I would call creamy. I see no signs of it being messed with although I would not be suprised if it had been dipped in its past.

I will say the rest of the collection...about 30 coins, all raw, are all very original accept about 5 of them that look like they are hairlined.

I can probably pick the Pan Pac up for 450-$500.

What say you about the luster?

Share your knowledge.

lcoopie

I think you mean 50c not dollar

Broadstruck

This is a tough early commem as a large percentage of entire mintage has been molested more the just once. This is a commem that past circulation and abuse from the non numismatic community is also heavily doctored through enhancements. They do come with luster but it's not the level of mint bloom as some other pre 1930 issues. This is also one of the harder commems to grade along with the Monroe. Pay close attention to the Hair, Left shoulder of Ms. Liberty and the Cherubs butt check on the obverse, and the Eagles left breast feathers which are the key grading areas but also come weakly struck. I had tens of dozens up to MS66 pass though my hands in over 22 years of playing with commems even many Mint State TPG examples IMHO are just glorified market graded super sliders. Take your time, look at it under multiple light sources, with no less then a 10 power loupe, and if your not feeling all warm and fuzzy... run!

Tbar

<< <i>This is a tough early commem as a large percentage of entire mintage has been molested more the just once. This is a commem that past circulation and abuse from the non numismatic community is also heavily doctored through enhancements. They do come with luster but it's not the level of mint bloom as some other pre 1930 issues. This is also one of the harder commems to grade along with the Monroe. Pay close attention to the Hair, Left shoulder of Ms. Liberty and the Cherubs butt check on the obverse, and the Eagles left breast feathers which are the key grading areas but also come weakly struck. I had many up to MS66 pass though my hands in over 21 years even some Mint State TPG examples IMHO are just glorified market graded super sliders. Take your time, look at it under multiple light sources, with no less then a 10 power loupe, and if your not feeling all warm and fuzzy... run!

>>




Thanks Broadstruck.

Your assesment seems right on. I have looked this coin over for about a month now and I will say the breast feathers and shoulder are all there. I will focus a little more on the hair when I go back. My main concern is the luster, and you kind of confirmed what I thought. I think at the very worst this coin is market acceptable.


Thank you.

Broadstruck

<< <i>Thanks Broadstruck.

Your assesment seems right on. I have looked this coin over for about a month now and I will say the breast feathers and shoulder are all there. I will focus a little more on the hair when I go back. My main concern is the luster, and you kind of confirmed what I thought. I think at the very worst this coin is market acceptable.


Thank you. >>



Your welcome!

Take a look at the MS67 by CommemDude in the Pan-Pac thread as that's about as good as it gets for luster. This is also one of the most whizzed commems, hence the need to rotate the coin with a loupe under a light source. Album toning is meaningless as most examples saw abuse well before any type of coin album was available for the series... they retoned while snug in the folder board.

DRUNNER

The PanPac does not come with the flashy luster commonly associated with other Commems. That little rim toning seems to be very common as well and is usually a sign of originality.

The luster is satiny and what you might call 'creamy'. Check for hairlines, but it sounds like you may have located a 'keeper'.

Drunner

mrcommem

The Panama Pacific is a tough one for luster. Usually is soft and satiny. Those that are not are usually dipped. According to Swietek, only one dip kills the lustre on this coin. This coin also has a repunched "S" mintmark on some varieties. Below is my coin. It just drips with lustre but it took me 8 years to find it. It does have a small tic in the left obverse field.