1914-S Barber Dime Fun Show Purchase...GTG - Grade Posted in first post

JJSingleton

When visiting the Fun Show I always make sure to track down Tom Bush to check out his box of coins. Although Tom does not do Dahlonega Gold I have always admired his eye for great original type coins and it is always a joy to check out his offerings, and his private holdings not for sale. This year while enjoying his box it became apparent that even JJSingleton may be becoming susceptible to all this plastic and sticker marketing as the only coin I pulled out for a serious look was a Barber Dime in a Hat-Tricked holder...OGH, CAC'd, with a pedigree. I thought a Barber Dime? I have never had any interest in Barbers and what the heck was I doing? But it was quite nice and I have been known to buy a nice type coin for my collection every couple of years.

Being early at the show I put the coin back in the box, thanked Tom for the look and continued my real search for D-Mint gold and a couple of commems still needed to complete my set. After two days and not finding any coins to my liking I found myself gravitating back to Tom's box of coins and decided to pull the trigger on the dime. After all, it would just be wrong to leave the Fun Show without a purchase.

Walked the dime over to Todd at Blucc and he quickly imaged the coin for me as I was heading back home within the hour. Todd imaged my Bass 1838-D Half Eagle earlier at the show.

Guess the grade and let me know what you think as I know absolutely nothing about Barbers.

DIMEMAN

By the pic......I will guess AU58.

rhedden

That's probably a 66. I just sold a less attractive 65 of the same date that someone upgraded to 66/CAC after I failed to even get a grade bump.

Broadstruck

Sorry as I couldn't even try to begin guessing based on this image

roadrunner

MS65

Only mark of note seems to be the scuff at the lower left of the neck.

Walkerguy21D

<< <i>Only mark of note seems to be the scuff at the lower left of the neck. >>


I'm going to guess that the mark kept it in a 64 back in the OGH days, but if resubmitted may get a 65 now.

Patches

Beauty, MS65

Boosibri

64 OGH CAC, lovely coin

MFH

That is a very lusterous coin and the only
fault I can find with it is the abrasion on
the neck, which in my mind keeps it below
Gem status.

I would think 64 would be appropriate for this coin.

EastonCollection

I agree with MFH and add that it lacks the horse power to be a gem. My guess 64 or 64+. Still a very nice looking coin. Tom carrues very nice looking coin and if he at a show, its a definite stop for looking and talking too and of course buying.

JJSingleton

Thanks for all the guesses so far. I knew when I gave the coin to Todd to image it would be a tough coin. The image is pretty accurate but the toning is bit a lighter than in the image. But yes, a tough image to grade from. My immediate guess when I look at the image is with Dimeman at AU58 due to the darkness on the cheek. But in hand it is MS no doubt. I'll post the slab image later on tonight.

ricko

I would guess 65 except for the scuff on the neck.... so likely a 64...Cheers, RickO

jughead1893

64

IrishMikey

If the image is an accurate reflection of the luster, at least MS-64. Looks a bit choppy on the face and neck, but that could
be more image than actual contact marks. Great look!

jdimmick

I think the coin graded a 65 even with the mark on the neck, the overall coin is fresh and lusterous

crypto79

<< <i>64 OGH CAC, lovely coin >>

TomB

Obviously, I know the grade on the coin, but I must add that this coin was deceptively difficult to image. This might be due to the fact that it has really good luster over almost PL surfaces on the obverse while the reverse is more steely and both sides have good skin. Also, the older holders used plastic that was not as optically clear. My image is below and I think it becomes apparent that the type of lighting used on a coin like this will influence greatly what the final product might be. Though Todd's image is different than mine, I have no qualms with how it was represented by him and think he did a fine, quality job. By the way, if I could keep coins at will instead of selling them, this is a coin that I would seriously consider keeping given the quality of the coin, the pedigree and the price level that these currently reside.

grip

Outstanding picture and coin Tom.

rhedden

I still think it's a 66. But I see what you mean about the dramatic differences a photo can make!

jrt103

MS63

JJSingleton

Tom, thanks for the additional image. Now it is clear that what most saw as an abrasion on on the lower neck in Todd's image is nothing more than a break in the frost. This is a great example of how grading from images is really nothing more than a parlor game. Both images show different attributes of the coin. I am not sure any image can show all of the attributes of a coin in entirety.

brg5658

Todd's images make it look AU58. Tom's images make it look MS66. I'm guessing it's somewhere in between.

stman

Sixty-Six. I hope I don't ruin my "online" reputation.

lasvegasteddy

65
i know i'd feel confident in getting that
anything more is a bonus

nice thread to show up late in

Broadstruck

Wowzers great photo TomB... I'll go MS66 too

JJSingleton

PCGS 66 CAC Eliasberg

rhedden

Hah! Do I get a special sticker for nailing it from the first photo? (mild gloating going on here)

JJSingleton

<< <i>Hah! Do I get a special sticker for nailing it from the first photo? (mild gloating going on here) >>

You certainly deserve one.

Like I said earlier, my first thought for the image was AU58. But in Todd's effort to show the proof like qualities of the coin, it made the frost breaks look very dark and more like rub and abrasions than just highly reflective surface area.

Both Todd's and Tom's images are pretty accurate, just depends on the angle of the light. Although Todd's image does make the light toning appear darker than in hand.

And yes stman...your reputation remains intact.

winky

Well it would not be a 66.

georgiacop50

glows in both pix ...nice purchase

rhedden

Here's my old MS65 that I failed to upgrade, which just sold in a recent auction as 66/CAC. Kudos to whomever was sharp enough to keep trying until they got the upgrade. No, it did not get spot removal before the 66/CAC.