Proof Indian Head Cent - Opinions?
asheland
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This is available to me. I really want an UNC example, but I found the eye appeal to be exceptional. I’m not an Indian Cent guy, so I’m really curious what you all think... I believe the color designation is spot on, the grade as well... do you guys agree?
With this generation slab, 2008-10 era, I believe the color and surfaces are stable by now...
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Looks nice, but proof coinage is essentially impossible to grade with even the best images.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Nice looking coin.
Scratches on reverse above ONE - hairlines? Scratches? on slab?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Looks above average for proof IHC based off of the pics.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
Nice!
Agree with JBK (Nice looking coin)
Nice, darn near red if you ask me. If you would really like an unc example that is what I would go for if I were you. If you buy this one later on down the road you may wonder why you made the purchase and regret that you did. Go with what you want to get, don't make an exception unless it is almost impossible to do so.
Hard to comment on the grade, but the eye appeal is superb!
There are very slight hairlines there, that picture captured them. Under the naked eye they are almost impossible to see.
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What's not to like?
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
These pictures are as close to in hand look as I can get. The color is extremely accurate here:
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Of course it's a photo, but that sure looks red !
Very nice looking !
Very nice. Looks like it just missed RD.
I’m looking at it now, it’s impossible to show in a picture, but it’s got clash marks on the obverse and reverse.
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If the hairlines are limited, it certainly looks nice from your photos.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Under the naked eye, I cannot see them at all, but under 5X they are there, almost all of them are on the reverse. The obverse is surprisingly free of them. They don't bother me to be honest, i have passed on gold coins with them. I am critical of them, but they aren't too bad on this coin.
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I have both several proof and MS examples in my type set. One of my favorite designs. Hard to go wrong with a nice IHC and yours looks nice, based on the photos. Warning: they can be addictive.
Get this proof AND an Unc. Problem solved.
Very attractive coin. I like it!
If you're building an MS Indian set, stay away. Depending on your goals, it may be a fit.
Since no one else has done it, I'll out on my pessimism hat. I think the coin is fine, but I'm not excited by it. Indian cent proofs can be really stunning in terms of having some combination of great color (whether it's colorful toning or just great surfaces with an even shade of [color designation]) and reflective mirrors. Where mint state coins can often be RB by virtue of the coin having an obvious mix of true red and brown, or just an even, muted red that isn't red enough, proofs like this one can get the designation with some light toning in the fields. I don't think it's ugly, but I'm not enamored by it.
If it were me, I'd pass on the coin. It's original, it's fine for what it is, but it's not particularly exciting to me, and it's a series where nice mid-grade coins aren't difficult to find. By all means, if you like the piece enough, there's nothing wrong with it (it doesn't have a spot, prominent mark, etc.) and go for it. But if you aren't in a hurry, price aside (since I don't know what this is going to cost), I think there are better examples available.
Are you sure it is actually a proof and not a mislabeled MS coin?
It's not a bad looking coin but, like airplanenut, I don't find it to be very exciting. Unless the price were very "right" I would pass.
The second set of pictures show fields that would be really unusual for a mint state piece. That said, a coin with stronger mirrors would photograph differently. Mint state IHCs are much more likely to show some level of texture due to die flow, while proof fields are smoother. When the mirrors aren't super bright, though, some bands can be illuminated in a picture and give the appearance of mint state lustre. The first reverse photo looks most like a mint state coin, but even there you can see the illuminated section doesn't quite go through the center, as it likely would if it were mint state.
I don't understand how anyone can render an opinion of "pass" without knowing what you paid for the coin ?
That is a nice IHC... though in your posts, you seem to have some personal reservations (i.e. color, hairlines). Unless a remarkable price, if I something about a coin bothers me, I pass. There are many out there.... Cheers, RickO
Yes it sure looks to be at the high end of RB, especially with most of the brown on the obverse being in the fields and not on the head. I think it gives better eye appeal that way, but is that the sort of thing that's typically important to other collectors (and to price)?
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Two things. First, he didn't buy the coin yet. There's a difference between "there are better examples out there, hold off for now" and "it's a fine coin, and if you bought it, there's nothing specifically wrong with it." Second, of course price comes in. If you offer me that coin for way below its value, I'll buy it every time just to flip it (I'll do that for coins that I think are complete garbage, too, if I can flip them, but I wouldn't buy a coin to keep in my collection just because it is cheap). But if it's reasonably priced (which I'll assume since it hasn't been suggested that price is a special feature), then it is my belief that patience will net a better example that is still reasonably priced. It may be that the next example is a bit more, but generally, if you're in the same ballpark and the lower price isn't the absolute maximum you can stretch to, then paying a small premium for a better example is worthwhile.
I appreciate the advice and remarks.
I ended up getting it. Indeed it looks MS in the first set of pictures, but it's no doubt a proof. You just have to see it at the right angle and lighting. I like the color and the fact that it is almost completely mark free. I really like the coin more and more after studying it. I got it for an even 300 bucks.
I am still seeking a mint state example also, I'm not doing a set, but I am a type collector. I usually don't bother with proofs but I really liked the look of this one when I first saw it.
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Good for you! We from the chattering class can’t examine the coin in hand nor, obviously, understand what is right for YOUR collection. Am glad you proceeded.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I really like your coin. I am not saying it is the best available but very very nice in my opinion. Congrats on the great purchase.
Thanks guys!
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Looks very similar to my 1882 graded the same.
If u like it ....buy it
The cost of this coin will not break your bank
If your still indecisive, hire a knowledgeable dealer in copper
That's a beauty IMHO looks very strong for the grade with no spots and great eye appeal!!
if you look at the price history, the price jumped up 25 dollars between May 1st and June 1st, 2020 so any coin trending up is a good sign, green arrows are nice
https://www.pcgs.com/pricehistory#/?=2355-64