Opinions welcomed on this raw '16-D Merc (large pics)

Staircoins

I'm about to submit this coin to ANACS for authentication and grading. I'm guessing that it will come back AG-3 Details, Scratched, but I would like the opinions of others.

What say you all?

Genuine? Grade?

Cam40

hopefully it slabs, genuine atleast.

coolest

I agree about the grade and the scratch (through DIME) but the coin has a nice look. Ive seen many 4s that are not as nice.

cartwheel

Assuming it's genuine (and I'm not real familiar with the diagnostics of the 16-D); I think it'll slab as an AG3. Personally, I don't think a relatively minor scratch in a well-worn, well-circulated key coin should keep it from slabbing.

Cartwheel

P.S. What do I win?

Staircoins

Thanks for the input!

Based on comparisons with other certified specimens, I think this is a genuine '16-D, but I'll feel better after it's in a holder nevertheless.

Anyone else care to comment?

Staircoins

<< <i>P.S. What do I win? >>

If it comes back "questionable authenticity" you might win the coin itself!

SirAnthonyAC

yeah , that's a keeper and I think it will slab at AG3.

If they are strict, they'll want to see full rims before they call it G4 but, as mentioned above, some G4s look like your example.

Either way, a that's a nice valuable rarity to add to your collection... congrats!

coindudeonebay

I think it's an AG3. Solid for the grade. The rims are worn into the lettering so it's no better than a 3. The MM? Looks strange, but if I'm not mistaken there is a RPM of that date. I'm at work so I can't look at my books but I believe that to be true. Also, the inside of the D should be triangular on at least one of the MM punches. Take a look and see if you can diagnose that.

coindudeonebay

Didn't think I could get to a PCGS site from work, but here's a link for you. PCGS diagnostics for a 1916-D.

guitarwes

I think it should grade a 3.

veryfine

It could come back G-4, as wear into the tops of the reverse letters is perfectly acceptable for that grade. However, the more important date criteria shows wear into the "6" and that might result in the AG-3 grade.
All of the above depends on whether or not the coin is gradable at all. If it does grade, I believe the coin will squeak by into a G-4 holder.

pheh

Meant to post this last night but got sidetracked. I do think it is genuine and I do think it should slab - but I personally wouldn't have sent this coin ANACS at this time. Recently I've noticed a trend of ANACS making use of their Net grading on some keys that I would expect either of the other two grading companies to slab. I agree with guitarwes, its an AG-3, somewhat ugly. And that is just it, it is just an ugly coin for the grade, and the minor scratches on that coin at that grade shouldn't put it in a details slab.

I will be interested to hear your results, good luck!

And please don't get me wrong... I like ANACS, they just aren't who I would have sent that coin to at this point in time.

grip

By the wear on the coin and MM, and position it looks good.

Staircoins

<< <i>Meant to post this last night but got sidetracked. I do think it is genuine and I do think it should slab - but I personally wouldn't have sent this coin ANACS at this time. Recently I've noticed a trend of ANACS making use of their Net grading on some keys that I would expect either of the other two grading companies to slab. I agree with guitarwes, its an AG-3, somewhat ugly. And that is just it, it is just an ugly coin for the grade, and the minor scratches on that coin at that grade shouldn't put it in a details slab.

I will be interested to hear your results, good luck!

And please don't get me wrong... I like ANACS, they just aren't who I would have sent that coin to at this point in time. >>


Thanks for the comments!

I'm sending this in for someone else, and the reason that I'm thinking ANACS is that some of the scratches are a bit worse than they appear in the pics - so I'm about 60% confident that it will get an impaired slab anywhere I send it. The scratch on the obverse through IN/WE/8:00 is pretty fresh, and there are some others scattered about that aren't readily apparent on the pics.

Since this is for someone else, I prefer to get the into a holder with a numeric grade (a la ANACS AG3 'Details') than a PCGS Genuine slab with no numeric designation.


Edit: Thanks for the link, CoinDude!

coindudeonebay

Not a problem, and I too was more concerned with the obverse scratches then the one on the reverse. The ones on the obverse look "shiny" which = fresh. Especially the one in the right field behind the neck. That one looks really ouchy.

Billet7

I think it would slab at an AG. I would say G4 (since that is about the level of wear that usually appears on g4 slabs nowadays.) but I think the light scratches will knock it down to an AG. According to the Billet7 grading standards, it is an AG with or without the scratches, I would have to see it in hand before making the bodybag determination or not. Hard to tell if the mintmark is genuine. I am used to seeing more definition in the mintmark, with the telltale sign of the triangular hole in the "D." Good luck.

Staircoins

<< <i>Not a problem, and I too was more concerned with the obverse scratches then the one on the reverse. The ones on the obverse look "shiny" which = fresh. Especially the one in the right field behind the neck. That one looks really ouchy. >>


Yes, I should have pointed out that scratch. It continues from the field up onto the cap. It is pretty recent, I think. That's one reason why I expect a 'Details' holder.

I have tried to make out the center of the mintmark (under 20x magnification), but there's just not enough definition left for me to call it distinctly "triangular" in shape or not. I understand that there were four reverse dies used for the 16-D, so this characteristic is not necessarily definitive, but I would still have liked to have seen it.

coindudeonebay

I believe the same MM punch was used for all reverse dies. So, if the MM is real, then it should show the triangular pattern. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Staircoins

Good point and makes sense. Multiple dies, but all having been punched with the same 'D'.

ziggy29

Whether it would slab without a "problem" designation or not -- whether it would grade -- is, by far, a secondary concern to just getting its authenticity verified.