Thoughts on this Barber Dime? 1895-S - Updated with more photos...
Meltdown
Posts: 8,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
I found this sitting around at a local shop here in town... I think it would straight grade as AU something...
I'm taking opinions and critiques if you're interested.
3
Comments
uh, you should correct the title, or add a million dollars to the value.
I'd go XF
BHNC #203
Ha, done.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Much better, I thought it was going to be a fake.
BHNC #203
Nice coin. I say 50.
I think it would go 50
I agree with low AU.
This coin needs to be seen in hand. The image is not helping the cause
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
True enough. I've seen worse photo's on this forum however.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
That's one of the dates I still need. A quick scan of ebay listings shows how this one stands up against an army of G/VG examples.
Nice pickup.
I'll go XF 45 on it- nice coin.
crusty 45++ 😈
I know what I wrote reads as if I am being critical of the image... it really boils down to the image and whether that imaged created the ability to offer the best grading opinion. The coin has some significant lustre but the image captures enough hairlines to the point one might question the quality of the surfaces. The coin has redeeming qualities... especially for the date... but a roughness was captured that would create some hesitation in grading this one AU50 without seeing in hand first.
It looks to be a decent coin
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
That is a nice find. XF/AU.
It has enough luster for an AU-50 or a little better, but the eye appeal is lacking. There are surface disturbances and the black spots which may or may not be removable. If ti's a raw coin, I'd stick to EF pricing.
AU50...
Probably AU50 by current standards. XF45 by the standards of 40 years ago.
I appreciate the opinions. Thanks all.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Lower mintage coin usually seen in G/VG. Seldom seen above Vf. Yeah we can nitpick the issues, but with only 9 certified in AU 50, I bet a number of collectors would be happy to have it. Very unusual find in a B&M store, and a cool pickup.
Liberty not strong enough for AU, unless grading standards changed for these coin in the last 10 years. Obverse looks cleaned. Look at all of the parallel little scratches on neck and face. This coin is raw for a reason. Pass.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
I think it looks lustrous enough to be an AU, and while I think it looks original, the spotting isn't particularly appealing to me, especially the dark spot on the cheek. This isn't a coin that excites me, but it could certainly be much worse.
Based on the lustre, I think what you're seeing is some light friction from circulation, but the angle of the light is only illuminating the marks that sit in a given direction, thus what you see is a set of parallel marks. If cleaned, I'd expect to see longer and continuous hairlines. This kind of chatter seems to be present on a fair number of the lightly circulated Barbers I've handled; perhaps the design of the bust makes the series more susceptible to such chatter, or it makes the same chatter more noticeable than what you'd find on other designs. All that said, a better photo or a chance to hold the coin under the light couldn't tell a different story.
Some of the coin looks AU, but LIBERTY is weak and the chatter on the portrait make me think XF.
I'm surprised more people aren't agreeing with you. There are some questionable aspects which may or may not be image related.
Wow. Now I really appreciate the thoughtful evaluation. I'll try some new pics this evening and get back with those... Either way, this one is getting sent in for grading with PCGS.
I wouldn't have asked if I generally wasn't wondering myself. It does have it's issues, character flaws...
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
The reverse is dirty and masking some luster, and the strike a bit mushy, not seeing much in terms of wear. but it looks 55 to me. From the photos there appears to be much in the way of frosty original surfaces.
>
Jeremy, you could be right. I'd need to see the coin in hand (I never buy anything unless I can personally see it or someone I trust can do likewise). I've handled numerous Bust Dollars in AU and the lightly cleaned ones all have a large number of parallel little scratches on the cheek, neck and bust. That, and the coin is too white for a coin that age which has been circulated.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
It's a heck of a lot nicer than mine!
AU 53....too much luster for an XF IMO
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
I will estimate AU50 .... looks like there may be a minor die clash shown in the last pictures...maybe not. Cheers, RickO
XF
I think I would use a rose thorn or toothpick, and remove what crud from the devices that I could. It may help the overall eye appeal. I would really hesitate to use acetone on this particular coin, as it may lose some the 'skin' and make it look more cleany.
I was thinking similar thoughts as Walkerguy21D.
I would take a good look with a more powerful glass to look at exactly how severe the dark areas are and whether some of the gunk could be carefully removed. I think the reverse could be improved by splitting a toothpick with a razor blade in an effort to create a small point of contact to remove what looks to be gunk within the O of ONE and whether there could be alittle improvement as to the other LETTERS and below the leaf on the left side looking down.
I would try to improve some of the obverse letters as well. I tend to doubt the spots on the portrait will come off without drastic measures that will likely be counterproductive. I agree that if use anything on the coin whether it is acetone or something else, you will live to regret that decision.
The use of a toothpick may annoy some here but I see the decision to consider that as preventative step that will help with longer term preservation.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Fully agree, coinkat. That’s all the additional details I was too lazy to type up!
Interestingly some mild dish detergent with plenty of water, scrubbing with fingers will have a good chance of taking a lot of that cra- off of the coin.
I love this date and think it often doesn't get credit....I got one that I have shown on these boards before
Well, just Love coins, period.