Can someone take a shot at grading this 1921 Mercury Dime?
jafo50
Posts: 331 ✭✭✭
It's been in my collection for decades and I've never had it graded but I'm thinking of submitting it. Any insights are appreciated.
This is a cell phone photo.
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2
Comments
Too much artificial sharpening and contrast to be a usable photo.
I didn't sharpen it but just cropped the original which tends to blow it up. I can try taking them again.
Thanks for the response.
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
I like the coin at any grade.
The obverse is poorly lit but well-focused. The reverse is well lit but out of focus. From what I think I see, I’d guess lower mint-state in the range of MS62-3. It could easily be AU58 - hard to tell. I can’t see Liberty’s neck & chin well. Looks to have FSB. Very difficult to evaluate the surfaces & judge luster from these photos.
Certainly worthy of submitting unless there’s some issue I can’t see.
Edited to add:
Looking at it on a big monitor, I'd say more likely to be circulated or even cleaned than a straight-grade MS, but again, hard to see from the photos. Something just looks "off" from the obverse.
Not me.
Above average Unc. fsb?
Giving the coin the benefit of the doubt, I'd guess 63 FB. Could realistically be anywhere from high AU to 64, depending on the coin in-hand.
Thanks for all of your responses. I think it's worth submitting to see what grade it gets.
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
AU 55/58
According to the photo
FB on reverse, but the obv. Looks like there is some rub on the braids, and the rev is too out of focus.
I agree, Mike. Might even go 64FB (but slight chance, IMHOP)
Pete
63fb would be my guess?
It's a very nice '21 so you have to submit....right?
I've never submitted a coin for grading before. Would you recommend NGC or PGCS? Do they both offer conservation services?
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
Can't grade it from the pictures but see enough to say it is worth submitting!
58
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Doesn't matter, the coin is nice enough for either one of the services.
Can you take it to a competent professional coin dealer first and get an opinion ? That could save you a lot of money and possible disappointment.
$32 fee makes it worth submitting at any conceivable kosher grade.
That would be from 58 to 62..... Worth submitting.... Let us know what results you receive. Cheers, RickO
Better to understand what you have before spending the fee plus shipping. Throwing money at an unknown is not a good policy - in coin collecting or anything else.
I’m seeing edge issues on the reverse but as long as no signs of cleaning should be high AU or low MS
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
In principle, who wouldn't agree. But there are known unknowns and calculable variables
$1000-$2000 if it's not a no-grade.
Doesn't matter what it might be worth if it is authenticated and graded. A very tiny amount of owner due diligence could avoid wasted money, or give the owner greater confidence in what to expect from authentication. Since it is evident that nothing meaningful can be determined from the posted photos, this is the prudent and reasonable course of action.
Of course, people are not usually "prudent and reasonable" when it comes to money. As had been repeatedly shown, rational behavior and economics are not linked. [See Nobel Prize for 2017.]
@RogerB said: "Better to understand what you have before spending the fee plus shipping. Throwing money at an unknown is not a good policy - in coin collecting or anything else."
@Kkathyl IMO, what you are seeing on the rim is mint produced and is commonly found on these coins.
I don't see many marks at all and the bands are full. Just looks dirty. Good that you didn't do anything to "clean" it up.
Nice coin and definitely worth sending in. My guess is 63FB.
Not results from an actuarial pool, but an individually-informed decision based on due diligence to mitigate the risk.
That's why the relatively high potential cost/benefit ratio makes it an assumable risk.
There's a PCGS dealer list organized for geographical search. Were the OP were to reveal his approximate location, someone might be able to suggest a consulting numismatist within driving distance for an in-hand look.
It doesn't matter WHAT this 1921 grades. A 1921 Mercury above the grade of VG is worth sending in.
@ColonelJessup I'm located in Westchester County, NY. I'm within 25 miles of NYC but would not want to go into the city to have the coin looked at.
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
I would give her an AU55/58...
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
ROFLMAO, mid-town parking is more than the grading fee
Jon Lerner at Scarsdale Coin is a member here who's well-known nationally for his knowledge and integrity.
@ColonelJessup Thanks. I just looked up his web site and I'll give him a call this week.
Joe
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
AU58
My YouTube Channel
Join the club. You made it this far. DIY and let our host grade it. There will be some here who will try and convince you it needs a sticker too. Don’t buy that.
Start here:
https://www.pcgs.com/onlinesubmission
Update: I met Jon Lerner tonight at a local coin club. Jon's opinion is in line with other opinions offered here. Definitely AU grade, possibly a 58. Another dealer at the club also gave an opinion which was a little higher than Jon's. I got to meet a very nice group of people and plan on going back to their monthly meeting. I'll be submitting this dime for grading and we'll see how it comes back.
Thanks to everyone who offered an opinion.
Joe
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
58
62 FB
don't take au money , 1500 coin easily
if you were local, and came to my shop, Id buy it at 1400-1500 easily
It's nicer than the one I don't have, that's for sure! Make sure to update us once you get results.
Collector, occasional seller
Just got the results from NGC but I don't have the coin in hand as yet.
It was graded as MS64 FB.
I'm extremely happy with this grade. A local coin shop said it worth between $500 and $1000 which was very low and a few years ago a local business that buys gold and silver bullion plus coins graded it by eye at AU and offered me $840. I'm stoked that I didn't sell it plus this is my first TPG coin.
Joe
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc
Not bad for a first TPG coin!
Nice 64FB catch.
Okay, you will do better with the sticker, now. (IMO). If you’re marketing it, that is. (expounding on my last post).
Looks like the reverse might be broadstriked.
Why O Why did you send it to ngc???? That would look so good in a PCGS holder!
Well that's a nice lady dime to have lying around. From the pcgs price guide:
I ALWAYS undergrade..........
(Slight chance, Huh?)
Wonderful coin with a wonderful grade.
Pete
Good luck getting PCGS price guide for a NGC graded coin.
Nice coin!
What did the dealer call it when he sold it to you and how much did you pay?
Awesome. What else is lying around?
The local dealer just quoted a price range of $500 to $1000 and said he saw some PVC damage. Apparently he was incorrect.
The gentleman who buys the bullion just said it was AU. I hadn't been involved in the hobby for many many years at that point so I didn't even know to ask about a specific numerical grade. I received a quick education on this forum plus I've been going to a local coin club in my area once a month. I've bought a few books on grading and a new loupe so I'm educating myself slowly.
Joe
Successful BST transactions with lordmarcovan, Moldnut, erwindoc