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1903 $2.50 Liberty Head- How would you grade this coin?
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I showed this coin, one of my favorite coins, to my friend @asheland and he suggested that I post this coin and seek your comments— we both liked the luster in this example. I photographed the coin in its holder, and some scratches in the plastic are evident. What grade do you think this coin would get? The coin has been graded but I am curious to see if you agree with the grade it received (will share the grade it got a bit later). Thanks for looking...
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Pretty high. 65 maybe better.
Looks mint state and the copper spots don't bother me at all. The photo is not lit well enough and the white balance is off, but there appear to be a patch of hairlines behind Ms. Liberty on the obverse as well as perhaps diagonally across her cheek. Lastly, what might be mint bloom might instead be thumbing or putty.
I can't give a guess.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
could be anything from details to 65 CAC
I'll guess 64 no CAC
Is there some hazing below her hair? If not, I would guess 64-65. Looks like a pleasing coin from the photos.
64
Jb-rarities.com
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64
64+
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Thanks for this feedback -- I have much to learn regarding photography for coins, and I can see that I am asking perhaps too much for folks to assess a grade based off of suboptimal images. If anything, I will learn how to properly image the specimens...
Ms 64
64
Another set of images with different lighting...
63
Much better pics...I'd say 65 now
Haha I also will go up to 65 now
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Easy 65
I’ll guess MS64+.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Kill joy
Gorgeous coin with a hint of purple toning
There is a subtle purple / blue tone seen best in hand-- a nice part of the luster for this coin....
65+, good shot at 66
Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. - Bastiat
I grade it......beautiful! With a....⭐!
65?
65+
Here is how PCGS graded the 1903 $2.50 Liberty Head. Thanks to everyone for taking a look— the comments about the coin grade are consistent. I think one of the most interesting features of this coin is the slightly purple luster which is hard to appreciate in the pictures I made.
My photographic skill for coins is weak, but I am hoping to make some progress. I learn a lot from your feedback.
Wow... Late to the game, would have guessed 65 based on second set of pictures.... Obviously graded better than my assessment. Very, very nice gold coin. Cheers, RickO
Wow is right! Late to the game too, but I was thinking 64+ with the copper spots holding it back... I guess they didn't!!
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I would have said 64, based on the first images. Based on the slab images, I'd probably say MS65 or higher, depending on the reverse.
As for photographing gold, it's really easy to emphasize the flaws and downplay the luster. Shooting it well can be tricky.
I've seen it in hand and it blows away any 66 I've seen to date, color and luster! It's just the pictures, I promise, it's as PQ as they come! He has another in a 66 with a CAC and this one looks a full grade higher!
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My 66 is CAC and this one looks a grade higher than mine, too.
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Mine:
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Those spots must be very inconspicuous in hand for it to grade 66+.
This an interesting topic especially considering what photography can do-- for the first set of pictures I set exposure and lighting to accentuate marks-- not trying to make the coin looks worse but wanting to make sure that the photography didn't hide imperfections. By setting the lighting to accentuate the imperfections I also hid the luster-- someone made a comment about difficulty in photographing gold coins and accurately representing luster, and that has been my experience. @asheland has seen the coin in hand and offers a good perspective on that. I have great respect for those who can photograph coins well - its hard!
It’s headed for a sticker, here’s a shot I just took of the coin:
The color is remarkable.
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Love the reverse!
Certainly worth a shot from what I see. Good luck!