1875 seated dime poll, gtg (revealed)

steveben

these two 1875 seated dimes are interesting. i think they look very similar in terms of strike, die polish lines and toning...almost to the point of suggesting they have been together all their lives. now, they are in sequential pcgs slabs. they have also been to cac.

choose which coin you think is better. you can also guess the grades of each, if you like, both pcgs and cac. i realize we can't grade accurately from photos...it's just a guess.

your comments are welcome. i'll reveal tomorrow what each tpg thinks.

photos by todd at bluCC.

coin 1:


coin 2:

steveben

scratches on reverses are on the holders, not the coins.

roadrunner

By a "head" I prefer coin 2 because that right obv field looks much less likely to be chattered or missing some luster. The reverse streak + spot on coin #1 could be the difference maker as eye appeal rules.

Very similar technically. I'd expect a 65 or 66 grade....probably the same on both. Can't see the luster and marks in these photos and that will decide the grade. They are both CAC'd regardless of what grade PCGS gave them. Toning this original (mottled, speckled, muting the luster a bit, etc.) is often not favored by PCGS. NGC would likely grade these 1 pt higher. I'd say MS65 due to the issues mentioned and that the heads (and corresponding rev bow knots) are only about 1/2 there. If they got graded MS64 or lower, please send them to me on approval.

Nice original examples of seated dimes put away for generations.

BillJones

I am not a fan of either one because of the spotting. Since there is less spotting on the #1 I voted for it. The spots in the right obverse field of #2 would drive me crazy.

I'd say the technical grade on each is MS-65.

keyman64

With all of that heavy toning it is tougher to say but I would prefer the one with fewer distracting spots I think. (2nd Example)

That said, the first one does seem to have less wear....if it has any. The 2nd seems to have a little to me.

I do not prefer that heavy toning which has likely eaten through any luster. I would sell both and buy a lighter toned example.
I did not vote.

steveben

i added some more poll choices based on the low number of votes!

LanLord

<< <i>I am not a fan of either one because of the spotting. Since there is less spotting on the #1 I voted for it. The spots in the right obverse field of #2 would drive me crazy.

I'd say the technical grade on each is MS-65. >>



I agree strongly with billjones on his choice and reasons.
I'd really like to have obv 1 and rev 2. I like the general strike and colour, but the black spots were somewhat offputting to me.
All this said, these are far superior to my 1875 dimes, so I wouldn't be too sad to own either of them.
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Actually, not sad at all

MsMorrisine

I want to see them in hand

Got some plain lighting photos of these?


I'm torn as is.

TopographicOceans

I think if you took the obverse from #1 and put it on the reverse of #2, then you'd have something.

Unless you want to saw them in half, I prefer #1

DIMEMAN

I'm with Bill Jones and Landlord.

steveben

alternate photos:

coin 1:


coin 2:

winky

I am nuts about liberty seated coins but #1 is the best.

MsMorrisine

Not going to argue 67s on these

It comes down to eye appeal of #1 and it's more uniform coloring

roadrunner

Those new photos lost the spots? And they show up a lot more strike weakness than I "saw" in the earlier photos. Hard to see MS66's on those with that many strike issues. A few marks now show up in the right obv field of coin 1. 64/65 seem like the most likely choice for them both. I never mind originally toned coins, despite the general market dislike for deeply toned, mottled looking coins. Coin 1 might be a hair better strike than coin 2. Overall, they are nearly identical.

oih82w8

I like the green tone on the first one...it looks green to me...did I mention that i am color blind?

asheland

I like the first one...

They look like proofs to me.

asheland

PF64
PF63

johnny9434

nice coin, I like coin 1 best

steveben

coin 1 is MS64, gold cac.
coin 2 is MS65, green cac.

i think roadrunner hit it out of the park with his first response. very many of you know your seated dimes very well!