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Thoughts on a Raw Seated Half
Walkerguy21D
Posts: 11,152 ✭✭✭✭✭
From my 7070 album, purchased at a small auction at least 25 years ago as an XF:
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There's a good example of gradeflation. That was an XF+ back in the day.
Certainly has "AU55" detail today. Can't see the luster in that view though. That would really decide whether it's still a 45 or now a 50/53/55. Looks like a decent AU to me. While those are sizable rubs on Miss Liberty, I've seen no worse on slabbed 63/64 coins. Any eye appeal in hand with 25% or more luster and that should be AU-slabbed all day long. Imo, it would bring good money raw too....as an AU.
Thanks rr - the pics look better on the iPhone for some reason.....the obverse luster is better than the photo shows, and the reverse is pretty much spot on (luster much subdued).
But I like your thinking, as that's what I was wondering - I always thought the coin was a strong XF, but if this coin today had a shot at 50 or not.
I like it a lot
Very nice coin with real potential. Good luck with grading.
Common variety with that heavy planchet defect in the lower right shield. I had an NGC MS65 once from the same die. Is there a raised/arching line going from the eagle's left wing to left claw? Looks raised to me. Heavy clash mark from Liberty's left forearm?
Yes indeed. This photo shows the clashing at Liberty's elbow, which looks like part of the wing tip:
If that's the case, it could be clashed on both sides....in the same area. That's unusual.
Nice coin thanks for sharing.
A solid mid/high AU, IMO. I like it!
The clashing at Liberty's elbow (really the forearm) appears to be part of the underwing.
Lance.
I like it.
I would say mid AU.... nice coin with good overall detail. The reverse is really nice... the obverse rub is apparent but not too distracting. Cheers, RickO
Thanks Lance - looks like you nailed it with that overlay image.
It's hard to say what the grade or net grade might be from those photos, especially on the obverse. The coin had AU sharpness by the standards that were in place 25 years ago. The question is, are the surfaces smooth and bright because of they have the original mint luster, or have they been smoothed and polished? The "XF" grade from long ago might have been a net grade.
I believe the coin was certainly dipped or lightly cleaned long ago, but not polished.
It was mostly white with a trace of rim tone prior to storing it in the album.
The XF grade was my assigned grade. I don't recall what the small auction house called it, but I do know they did not net grade, and if anything were 'loose' on behalf of their consignors.
Looks AU to me. Can't tell if it is cleaned, images are over-saturated. I like it.
I like it as an xf45 even with today's standards. A flashy 45 is better than a dull AU. Excessive thigh and breast rub (snicker) and neutral to negative secondary tone seal the XF grade.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
The one has quite a bit of knee/thigh rub too.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/seated-half-dollars/half-dollars/1839-50c-no-drapery-ms67-ngc/a/1151-5558.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515
nice, AU any time.
BHNC #203