Thoughts About This 1805 Half Eagle?

CharlotteDude

Heritage is offering the following 1805 Half Eagle in its upcoming CSNS auction. It's graded PCGS AU-55 w/green CAC sticker with the following photographs offered on its website:






In the photo, the coin appears to have some obvious discoloration or residue. In the close up, the areas appear to have very dark contrast and somewhat "baked on". In the slab photos, the areas appear as hazy discoloration. The lot description says nothing about the areas/spots, but they're obviously there and to me, quite distracting. Has anyone seen this coin in hand? Are the areas of discoloration as obvious and unattractive in hand as they appear in the images?

Lot Description: 1805 $5 BD-2, R.4, AU55 PCGS. CAC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State g/c. A branch off of the bisecting obverse die crack identifies this near-terminal die state. A wonderful early half eagle that has unmarked honey-gold surfaces and ample billowy luster. The strike is intricate in the centers, and shows incompleteness only near the junction of the left (facing) wing to the shield. Multiple sets of bold clash marks will delight the collector, and the upper reverse is lightly strike doubled. An oval depression on the drapery is as made, caused by a tenacious lump of material that stuck to the obverse die and was struck into successive examples.

thanks,

'dude

Gazes

The two pictures look very different

TomB

I have not seen this coin in-hand, but I would imagine that the lot description does not mention these issues because there is no way to spin them as a positive or even neutral attribute.

ShadyDave

The first set of pictures definitely do not do the coin justice. Stains definitely detract from the coin.



Wow that's also a very strong die clash...

CoinRaritiesOnline

I haven't seen it, but my best guess is that the staining is far less noticeable in hand - more like the slab shot.

CharlotteDude

Yes... Interesting die clashes and die cracks, and would make the coin intriguing if it weren't for the spots. I can't imagine using the close-up photos to "showcase" a coin like this. As obvious as the spots are, I'd think they would at least be addressed in the description?

'dude

CaptHenway

Ewww...

BustCuds

The stains are a major distraction and should have been mentioned in the lot description.

Gazes

Does cac take the dark spots into consideration when reviewing ?

CharlotteDude

Does cac take the dark spots into consideration when reviewing ?

I think the better question might be whether the spots/stains were there when the coin was stickered?

Cameonut

No thank you. Pass.

CuKevin

Originally posted by: Gazes
Does cac take the dark spots into consideration when reviewing ?

CAC takes EVERYTHING into consideration when reviewing a coin. I have to think the slab images are a better representation.

grip

Looks like two different coins. But they seem to do that often

CharlotteDude

It does look almost like two different coins, however you can see the areas of staining/discoloration in the slab pics. They just look like contrasted grey areas.
If anyone has the opportunity to view this coin in hand, would much appreciate their opinion of it. This is one I will definitely not pursue this time, but would welcome thoughtful opinion should it become available at a later date.

'dude

kaz

I'll give credit to HA for not ramping up expectations.

Baley

Like the design, love the die clashing and cracks, not crazy about the void in the drapery or the surface quality-- looks cleaned- hate the stains,

it's too bad the cleaning didn't get them out, probably a good thing they didn't try harder.

golden

Originally posted by: Cameonut
No thank you. Pass.

Proofmorgan

It's the contrast in the first shot that makes it appear that way. Similar to how nicks or scratches in a slab can sometimes show up black when pics with heavy contrast are used to show toning.

I actually saw this coin early on and had the same thoughts. Even in the slab shot I do not like the look of the coin. I think the clashing and the dimple in the bust are neat, but overall not a fan.

This coin sold in an earlier sale and they used a different set of photos that seem more representative than the ones used this time around.

AnkurJ

Could those be shadows from scuffs/scratches on the slab?

CoinRaritiesOnline

Previous appearance at HA.

RYK

Gesundheit!

Boosibri

I can't imagine CAC sticker in this coin if I had it myself and sent it in. Even from the slab shots the color is too light and clearly looks dipped to me.

Boosibri

This coin gives Wabbits 1901-S 50c hope.

jonruns

As others pointed out...the coin was previously auctioned by Heritage in October 2011 as lot #4861 for $11,500...those "stains" that we see now were present then but much much less obvious in the photos...the coin had the CAC sticker on it when it was auctioned in 2011...and the coin looks to have deteriorated between then and now...I'm guessing some might call this "improper conversation"...Heritage picked up the description from 2011 for its 2016 catalog...

Photo on the left is 2011...the right is 2016....

[URL=http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/jonruns/media/Screen Shot 2016-04-25 at 2.37.19 AM_zps7cg0qycf.png.html][/URL]

CharlotteDude

I saw those pics also, John. Earlier closeup pics from HA appear to be of a different contrast setting, not to mention the stains look like they've actually spread/grown over the past 5 years. That's why I'd like to hear from someone who's actually seen this coin in hand.

Thanks,

'dude