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New Purchase 1858 $20 AU53
BloodMan
Posts: 1,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
I recently purchased an 1858 $20 which NGC graded AU53. This date is not a common date, but definitely not a rarity in this series. PCGS and NGC have combined to grade 593 total in all grades. The dealer described the coin as semi-prooflike. NGC has not assigned the PL designation to any 1858 twenties.
Overall, the reverse is more “prooflike” than the observe, partly due to the numerous small contact marks in the unprotected fields. Coins with reflective fields have a tendency to show even the smallest scratches and exaggerate the larger ones. Images of the coin are below. Several lighting conditions are shown for the obverse.
On the reverse, die polish lines are evident on the reverse across the stars and rays (see close up). Many of the letters on the reverse periphery, show an unusual internal “roughness”. For example, the “S”, “A”, E” and “S” in STATES and “A”, “E”, “R” and “A” in AMERICA. A high-resolution image of the “ER” in AMERICA in shown below.
What causes this “roughness” in the closed portions of the letters? Is it because the die was not polished completely over the letters? Since this is likely an early die state due to the die polish lines and reflective fields, would the roughness dissipate with subsequent strikes?
Any comments welcome.
Overall, the reverse is more “prooflike” than the observe, partly due to the numerous small contact marks in the unprotected fields. Coins with reflective fields have a tendency to show even the smallest scratches and exaggerate the larger ones. Images of the coin are below. Several lighting conditions are shown for the obverse.
On the reverse, die polish lines are evident on the reverse across the stars and rays (see close up). Many of the letters on the reverse periphery, show an unusual internal “roughness”. For example, the “S”, “A”, E” and “S” in STATES and “A”, “E”, “R” and “A” in AMERICA. A high-resolution image of the “ER” in AMERICA in shown below.
What causes this “roughness” in the closed portions of the letters? Is it because the die was not polished completely over the letters? Since this is likely an early die state due to the die polish lines and reflective fields, would the roughness dissipate with subsequent strikes?
Any comments welcome.
0
Comments
the rev is much nicer looking compared to the obv, to my eyes.. but
the obv is most of the grade in many cases. the reverse can only
hurt not raise.
i like it as a xf45.
For comparison, the 1858 MS61 from the Eagle Collection is shown below (right). The MS61 was described as having “traces of semi-prooflikeness” which would likely make it less prooflike than the AU53 shown here and could indicate an earlier die state. Consistent with this notion is that some of the lettering of “STATES” on the MS61 coin is no longer exhibiting the roughness, while “AMERICA” has a similar pattern. The weakness of the strike on the MS61 may also be contributing to the differences.
Any comments welcome.
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