1926 $2.5 Gold Sesquicentennial {Grade Revealed}
U1chicago
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One of my favorite Commemorative coins.
Please guess the grade!
(Two sets of photos-same coin)
3
Comments
MS67
I like the rays radiating from the building
Look at the top photo again. How many "hits" can a MS-67 have?
Now, Do you see the change of color on the leg?
6? MS64?
Good advice!
What is your guess?
I have an opinion but I'm holding it until a few members here GTG. The most informative GTG answers come with detailed reasons that specific grade is chosen. For EXAMPLE: If they guess MS-70 and then write, the coin is fully struck, has absolutely no marks, hairlines or stains, the luster is blazing original, and it has exceptional eye-appeal. Another EXAMPLE: The coin is VG-10, because...
Save 63 for me.
Based on only pics I'm going with high AU, like 55 or 58. Did these actually circulate?
bob
First pictures make it look cleaned. I will guess AU58 if it straight graded.
I like the bottom one. both are good though
It’s the same coin.
MS-62 or 63 depending upon whether or not there is a rub on Ms. Liberty’s thigh.
That is a nice one, though. A large number of these coins have copper spots, and many times they are quite distracting.
As for the rays around the Independence Hall, those can be quite attractive, but most pieces to do not reflect them well because of the low relief of the design. Years ago I sold one to a customer that was really nice. It’s one of the few coins I regret selling when I was a dealer, but business is business.
First photos give me the impression of AU-55 to 58.
Second set looks Mint State.
Either it shows how much lighting and angles can affect pictures or you took an Unc and carried it for fun.
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
MS63.
carp, sorry
@WinLoseWin said: "First photos give me the impression of AU-55 to 58. Second set looks Mint State."
EXACTLY!
This shows what lighting can do to the image of a coin; however, lighting CANNOT CHANGE its actual condition of preservation!
So which is it going to be AU or MS? How much rub do you personally allow on a gold coin before it becomes an AU by your personal standards? How much rub should a TPGS allow on a gold coin before it becomes an AU by the company standards. Furthermore, once you allow rub on a MS coin, then some coins you grade MS will have rub and others you grade MS will not.
That's why it is often difficult to guess the grade any TPGS assigns to a coin such as this correctly.
@U1chicago
See why I "chickened" out? I know how I grade it. I also know how at least two TPGS's will grade it; BUT on this particular coin, I can only guess what it is graded.
While it is not "Very Choice" [used by ANA Grading Guide for AU-58] due to hits, hairlines, and friction rub, I can only hope it is graded as an AU-58 MAX! My personal grade is lower and it is not a coin I would buy at a fair price.
I'm going to say a 63, nice looking coin!
That’s a fair assessment.
And it is difficult to get the photos to be like I see it in hand with this particular coin. The first set (top) is from the auction house and the second set (bottom) was using my smartphone.
Just wondering, what grade would you like to see on the holder in order to consider paying a fair price? For example, if it graded VF 30, would you be ok paying a fair VF 30 price on it (not that it’s a 30, I’m just using that as an example)?
Definitely AU but the services can get generous with the MS boundary on commems as they were never meant to circulate.
Obvious rub on the thigh and in the rays on the reverse. I'd like to see an AU 55 grade, but my guess is 58.
I believe it is a technical 58 but received a low MS grade (60-63).
Beautiful coin btw. Congrats.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
@U1chicago asked: "Just wondering, what grade would you like to see on the holder in order to consider paying a fair price?"
You are asking the wrong person.
The spread on these is small. If it were mine, I'd crack it and price it at $400 then take 10% off. If it walked into the store raw or slabbed, I'd try to buy it for around $300 or less.
That coin can be graded from AU-55 to MS-62 at a major TPGS so everyone guessing would be right.
LOL.
I didn't exactly answer your question: "What grade would you like to see on the holder in order to consider paying a fair price?"
To me it's a $300-$320 coin. I'd like to see it graded AU-53 (but I'm dreaming). The problem stems from the ANA Grading guide when they combined loss of detail and surface condition into one number. The surfaces are "typical" (low in any grade range) while the amount of friction wear is small (high in any grade range). So try to describe a beat up AU-58. AU-53 works for me.
I will try 62. Kind of baggy, but I'm not seeing wear.
What does friction wear look like on a gold coin?
62-63 !!!
MS62. Compared yours to the AU58 I have.
@Insider2 you aren’t dreaming
Aww jeez. Now he's going to need an even BIGGER hat.
Nice work @Insider2 and great thread OP.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Kudos to Mr. Fazzari!
Late to the game again... would have guessed low MS....Cheers, RickO