Scratched Charlotte or Dahlonega gold coins...

ajman

if PCGS blesses a coin with an AU grade in a problem free holder with an obvious thin scratch that can be seen when tilted in the right light, how are they able to tell that it happened in circulation (which would warrant a true grade verses damaged or graffiti and ungradable) or is it that they just market graded it because these coins are scarce or rare overall? This is my coin, it is in a problem-free AU55 holder. 1851-C G$1 Thanks in advance for your replies.

areyouanywhere

<< <i>(which would warrant a true grade verses damaged or graffiti and ungradable) >>



I do not think this is correct. The determining factor is the severity of the scratch, and if it is a particularly rare coin they are more lenient. I would assume it was market graded down due to the scratch.

I am a total newbie so someone correct me if mistaken, but that is my understanding of the issue.

Staircoins

It's a judgment call, obviously, and every coin, every scratch, has to be evaluated on its own merits.

Older appearing, minor scratches that are less reflective or 'dirtier' and blend in with the surface of the coin are more likely to be deemed MA than fresher, newer scratches that stand out, in my experience.

The above does not apply to just C or D gold, but to most classic coins.

LindeDad

Netted the grade for as mentioned the rarity. Not being able to see the reverse I'd say 58 easy without the "circulation mark".

steveben

i've seen it go both ways. i saw a dahlonega $5 piece in an ogh graded xf45...it was a d over d with really nice toning and original skin...but what i thought was a huge, horrible scratch across the rev. the scratch wasn't even toned over...way worse than what we are talking about here with your coin. so how was it a xf45? i don't know. i have a bechtler dollar that was in an au rattler holder, but it got taken out (by accident, long story). i resubmitted it and it came back genuine for toned over scratches. it's purely a judgement call. after that happened to me, i decided not to buy any piece that has any type of noticeable scratch, graded or not, just to be safe. your coin looks nice...but i would definitely keep an eye out for a problem free example and sell that one, if it bothers you.

BillJones

The 1851-C is the most common Charlotte One Dollar Gold Piece. Still, even with the scratch, that is one heck of Charlotte coin. If the scratch can only be seen a certain angles, it's not that big of a deal, especially for an AU-58. If they had graded it MS-63, that would be another story.

If the scrach bugs you, return because chances are you will never be happy with the coin. But if you can put it into perspective, it's not the worst thing in the world.

GeorgeKellogg

Here's a Dahlonega half eagle that I bought in a "Gennie" holder because I really liked the coin and thought that the old pinscratched "X" on the reverse was relatively minor. The 1855-D is considered the 3rd rarest Dahlonega half eagle. I already had an XF40 1855-D $5 in an OGH (ex-John Pittman), but I couldn't pass up this one, as it was priced very reasonably.

An interesting aspect to this particular coin is the silvery-colored areas on the obverse, which are iridium impurities in the alloy. The occurrence of iridium impurities during this period in Dahlonega is well-documented in the literature.

BillJones

<< <i>Here's a Dahlonega half eagle that I bought in a "Gennie" holder because I really liked the coin and thought that the old pinscratched "X" on the reverse was relatively minor. The 1855-D is considered the 3rd rarest Dahlonega half eagle. I already had an XF40 1855-D $5 in an OGH (ex-John Pittman), but I couldn't pass up this one, as it was priced very reasonably.

An interesting aspect to this particular coin is the silvery-colored areas on the obverse, which are iridium impurities in the alloy. The occurrence of iridium impurities during this period in Dahlonega is well-documented in the literature.

>>



An "X" is worse than a plain old scratch because it shows some intellegence (or perhaps a lack of it) or intent. Aside from the scratch that 1855-D half eagle is a really beautiful circulated example, and I can see why you bought at the right price.

ajman

Does anyone else have an opinion on how a scratch like the one shown on my coin gets to be on the coin? I guess I'm just looking to learn about these things and if clash marks on scarce coins from these two mints are cool or distracting.

123cents

<< <i>Does anyone else have an opinion on how a scratch like the one shown on my coin gets to be on the coin? I guess I'm just looking to learn about these things and if clash marks on scarce coins from these two mints are cool or distracting. >>



I think people back in the day wanted to see if the coin was real gold.

BillJones

You also had to contend with staples in 2X2 holders and flips. Those things have ruined more than their share of coins. It is amazing how dumb some coin dealers and sometimes collectors were about what those things could do. The least one should do is get a pair of pliers and flatten those things.

ajman

<< <i>

<< <i>Does anyone else have an opinion on how a scratch like the one shown on my coin gets to be on the coin? I guess I'm just looking to learn about these things and if clash marks on scarce coins from these two mints are cool or distracting. >>



I think people back in the day wanted to see if the coin was real gold. >>

It's possible I guess, but I don't think this scratch was purposely made. I did however buy it on impulse on the sellers pics that I think were purposely photo'd to hide the scratch. If I had seen it beforehand I probably wouldn't have bought it. It was a no returns accepted which should've been my first clue but I think I could've returned it either by talking to the seller directly about my concerns or by a SNAD dispute but I chose not to do that. Oh well I like the the coin it's just that the scratch is something that my eyes will always know that is there and is somewhat distracting.

DaveG

I guess I'm just looking to learn about these things and if clash marks on scarce coins from these two mints are cool or distracting.


In general, I'd say there are a number of collectors who find clash marks really cool - especially on gold coins (which I don't think I've seen in person).

edited to add: I agree with BillJones, that looks like a staple scratch to me.

ambro51

So what are we looking at? The line coming from the bust at 3 and working toward the rim? Tough to tell on the picture but does that line enter onto the bust? It looks like a die crack to my eyes from the picture. My 51C had several small marks including a few small die cracks. Buying damaged Southern gold may be OK for some collectors but the big boys will always pay more for problem free pieces and pay nothing for damaged coins.

rawmorgan

Here an ATS 1845 D half eagle with a nice chunky "x" to the right of the date. It's in a problem free AG3 holder. I think the "x" give it a bit of character.