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Crusty Gold ... How Crusty Is Too Crusty?
BillJones
Posts: 34,757 ✭✭✭✭✭
Increasingly I read here that collectors are looking for "crusty gold." I understand the desire to buy pieces that have original surfaces, and I too don't care for gold coins that have had their surfaces stripped so that now they look like "white gold." Still I've seen a couple of examples of pieces that have gone too far in my view.
At the most recent FUN show one of my objectives was to locate a nice, but less than condition census example of a scarce half eagle. After seeing a few pieces that damaged, too low of a grade or clearly "worked on" I ran into a dealer who said he had an EF-40, CAC approved example that would please me. I eagerly awaited to receive it, but when I did it was disappointing.
The piece did have original surfaces from what I could determine, but the color resembled that of a copper coin that had been cleaned years ago that had mellowed over time. In other words it didn't look like gold.
I don't want to kill the sale for this piece out of respect for the dealer, but here is an another coin that I have Photo Shopped to resemble the look of the coin. The coin in question had this sort of look with none of the luster that shows here between the stars. In short the look was a dull brown.
Here is picture of the coin shown above in its natural state. This color is more of what I expected from this piece.
Do you crusty gold guys really like this look? Should a gold coin look like gold? I am interested in your responses.
At the most recent FUN show one of my objectives was to locate a nice, but less than condition census example of a scarce half eagle. After seeing a few pieces that damaged, too low of a grade or clearly "worked on" I ran into a dealer who said he had an EF-40, CAC approved example that would please me. I eagerly awaited to receive it, but when I did it was disappointing.
The piece did have original surfaces from what I could determine, but the color resembled that of a copper coin that had been cleaned years ago that had mellowed over time. In other words it didn't look like gold.
I don't want to kill the sale for this piece out of respect for the dealer, but here is an another coin that I have Photo Shopped to resemble the look of the coin. The coin in question had this sort of look with none of the luster that shows here between the stars. In short the look was a dull brown.
Here is picture of the coin shown above in its natural state. This color is more of what I expected from this piece.
Do you crusty gold guys really like this look? Should a gold coin look like gold? I am interested in your responses.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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<< <i>A gold coin should look like gold. The only coin in the group you posted that resembled the piece I saw is your 1859 eagle, but the coin in question was much duller than that piece. >>
Maybe it was not original???
<< <i>A gold coin should look like gold. The only coin in the group you posted that resembled the piece I saw is your 1859 eagle, but the coin in question was much duller than that piece. >>
I think that '59 has fabulous color.
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<< <i>A gold coin should look like gold. The only coin in the group you posted that resembled the piece I saw is your 1859 eagle, but the coin in question was much duller than that piece. >>
Maybe it was not original??? >>
It was original from what I could see. I'd like to post it, but I don't want to poison the well for the guy who is trying sell it. Let's put this way. It was made at "boondocks mint" that was not always noted for producing the highest quality products.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
<< <i>I really like the look on this one. It now resides in a PCGS VF35 holder.
Yes, that is the look I did not like. Thanks for posting it.
As they say one man's trash is another man's treasure, although it's hard to ever call any genuine gold coin trash.
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<< <i>
<< <i>A gold coin should look like gold. The only coin in the group you posted that resembled the piece I saw is your 1859 eagle, but the coin in question was much duller than that piece. >>
Maybe it was not original??? >>
It was original from what I could see. I'd like to post it, but I don't want to poison the well for the guy who is trying sell it. Let's put this way. It was made at "boondocks mint" that was not always noted for producing the highest quality products. >>
Maybe to much silver?
<< <i>Maybe to much silver? >>
Yes, could be. That was one of the problems the "boondockk mints" had sometimes.
http://www.goldrushgallery.com/news/coloration.html
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907-cac/alltimeset/268163
Lance.
<< <i>lkeigwin, Thanks for providing the link to that article. A very good read. >>
I just linked it. grip provided it.
It is a good read!
Lance.
I like crusty gold because it helps to easily identify original, non-messed with gold coins. I especially like crusty Carson City gold. Too crusty? Sure I could see a coin with so much dirt and grime that the eye appeal was negative being called "too crusty".
My preference is a little crust, enough to look classy without detracting from the overall appearance. Here's one I really like, as an example:
Not everyone likes the look of this one but I do. It's crusty!
<< <i>Interesting post - enjoyed the article - thanks for the link.
Not everyone likes the look of this one but I do. It's crusty!
Count me in for a like. Very nice.
Latin American Collection
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<< <i>I really like the look on this one. It now resides in a PCGS VF35 holder.
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Yes, that is the look I did not like. Thanks for posting it.
As they say one man's trash is another man's treasure, although it's hard to ever call any genuine gold coin trash. >>
I agree with BJ. I do not love that look. Then again, I am not a huge fan of Indian gold to begin with, and it could be that the photo is not representing the actual color of the coin.
OTOH, this is one that I do like:
<< <i>After opening this tread and seeing all these dirty gals I now feel like I need to take a shower!
Here are some more, so you may need a bath, too.