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1926-S Merc a bust......

DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
in PCGS Set Registry Forum
As I posted a couple of weeks ago, I had a 26-S in PCGS65 coming on approval. It was described as a toned coin out of the Bensen sale.

Well, I got the coin and its butt ugly. Looks like someone dripped carmel on it. I was expecting nice rainbow toning. Also, it has a really soft strike. Weak hair and one of the diagonal bands on the rev. is almost not there.

It was priced $300 below bid, but if you don't like the coin it's not a bargin.

Still needing a 26-S.

Jon

Comments

  • python1python1 Posts: 789
    thanks for the update, I dont need anything like that, I also need that 26s....image
    Dennis

    My Dimes

    << If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time! >>
  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,367 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wouldn't have reasonably expected a coin with nice rainbow toning to be sold at $300 below bid.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • keithdagenkeithdagen Posts: 2,025 ✭
    There were two Benson coins at the TNA show in Fort Worth last month. Both were exceptionally dark toned coins that were completely unattractive. Both Barber proofs, and neither one of them had any eye appeal at all. Looked like someone had burnt them like an overdone marshmellow.
    Keith ™

  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,423 ✭✭✭✭✭
    We Have The "Bad News Bears" here as Everyone Needs a 26S imageimage
      Needed Here Also but just About Everyone I have Seen is Either UGLY as Stated or Very High Priced. The First One that is Nice and Priced Reasonable Will Create a War Between the Docile Merc People.
        image
      1. DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
        Your right Tom, if it's too good to be true - it's probably not. Just thought I would take a chance.

        Jon
      2. TomBTomB Posts: 21,367 ✭✭✭✭✭
        Hey, I hear you! It doesn't hurt to take a chance, you might get lucky! I mean it. The attached file is what I won off ebay about three years ago for $24. It just said "MS63 TONED" and was raw. I got LUCKY on that one. PCGS liked it so much they gave it MS67FB.image
        Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

        In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

        image
      3. DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
        Tom,

        Nice coin. I would buy 63's like that all day all year. I agree with the grade, but I am surprised that
        PCGS did, because of the toning. I sent in a 1901 Proof Dime that was 65 maybe 66 and beautifully toned.
        It came back 62. Just makes you want to choke somebody.

        I do have one good story myself. Back in the late seventies I bought a 24-S Merc out of an auction out east. It was described as choice AU, so I bid strong AU money on it and got it. I showed it to a local dealer, who said it was probably UNC. I put it in my collection (at the time I was doing AU/UNC) where it remained until about a year ago. I took it around to several dealers at Central States. They all wanted it real bad. I sent it in to PCGS and it came back 65FB. At the time that was the highest grade for a 24-S. Now there are several 66's. I sold the coin and bought a 24-S 64FB and had money to buy other coins.
        That was fun. Probably won't happen again.

        Jon
      4. CocoinutCocoinut Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭✭✭
        After reading some of the others' comments, I feel fortunate with my '26-S. Sure, it could be prettier, and I prefer white coins, but it's decently struck, and not bad for a 64. I've seen a couple of MS65's offered recently, and would love to have one, but MS64's are more in line with my budget.

        Jim
        Countdown to completion of my Mercury Set: 1 coin. My growing Lincoln Set: Finally completed!
      5. DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
        Jim,

        Very nice 26-S. Nothing wrong with a 64!! Is it green or blue label?

        Jon
      6. quattrocoinsquattrocoins Posts: 1,881
        Jon,

        Sorry to hear of this. I recently bought a ex-Benson '24-S MS65 Merc. It is lustrous w/golden toning and has 99% split bands. I heard that a lot of these "Benson" coins were initially undergraded before the sale and then upgraded afterwards. The initial buyer of the '24-S must have had an upgrade in mind, as they paid more than $100 over what I ended up aquiring it for. image
        Mine's in a new blue holder w/the bar code on the front. I don't understand why it still carried the "Benson" pedigree! image

        Jim,

        If you ever do find an upgrade for that '26-S, keep me in mind for that one. image
        It looks like a beaut! image

        Regards,

        Don

        Winged Liberty and


        FULL Heads RULE!
      7. CocoinutCocoinut Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭✭✭
        Jon,

        The '26-S is in a blue holder, without the barcode on the front. Buying the blue holders is a real cr@pshoot; I think PCGS was more liberal the first couple of years they were issued, and has gotten more strict over the past couple of years. I have Merc's in at least 6 different kinds of PCGS holders, and must say I prefer the older ones. They're just a lot harder to find than the blue ones. I missed a show in Denver recently after blowing my budget on a '21-D, but am planning to go to a show in Colorado Springs on July 5. I hope the dealers attending will bring some early MS mintmarked Merc's. I enjoy the hunt, and being able to buy sight-seen.

        Jim
        Countdown to completion of my Mercury Set: 1 coin. My growing Lincoln Set: Finally completed!
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