1851-O Half Eagle

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Eddi
Eddi Posts: 633 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

I bought this half eagle at a local auction about 10 years ago. I bought it un-slabbed, and it still is.

Please let me know what you think of it, and how you would grade it. Note the short scratch beneath the right wing of the eagle.

Thanks!

Comments

  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,220 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF-25 of a scarce date coin. I like this kind of coin much more than a common date mint state example. The scratch on the reverse is not too distracting. This is from a time when these coins actually circulated.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,193 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I don't think the scratch is bad at all and also believe the coin is quite attractive.

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    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

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  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very neat, better date gold coin from the pre-Civil War period era. I'd give it a VF20 grade. A lot of history in that coin and certainly worth getting slabbed. B)

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • AntebellumGold
    AntebellumGold Posts: 80 ✭✭✭
    edited July 8, 2022 12:48PM
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    I have a fondness for pre-war New Orleans gold, and this one area I've been focusing on lately.

    The 51-O often shows a weak strike in the curls below Liberty, so I'd say yours is a 40.

    Lovely coin, I like it a lot.

  • basetsb
    basetsb Posts: 508 ✭✭✭✭
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    I enjoy this coin

    @basetsb_coins on Instagram

  • LJenkins11
    LJenkins11 Posts: 868 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice coin and a cool piece of history. Based on the pics I'd guess it's a VF30-35..

  • tommy44
    tommy44 Posts: 2,347 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I like it a lot, VF30-35 in my opinion.

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • justindan
    justindan Posts: 994 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF 20. Based on some $5 gold coins I just had graded.

  • Paradisefound
    Paradisefound Posts: 8,623 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 10, 2022 9:18AM
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    Beautiful piece to be hold at any grade ☺️

  • fathom
    fathom Posts: 2,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice piece. Scratches could be graffiti but need to see in hand.

    Definitely worth certification.

  • kaz
    kaz Posts: 9,378 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Love the originality. I think VF 30 as this issue is known for weakly struck centers.

  • CharlotteDude
    CharlotteDude Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice looking branch mint gold. I’d say it belongs in a straight-graded VF-25 holder.

    Got Crust....y gold?
  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,548 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice one!

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  • Smudge
    Smudge Posts: 10,001 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Certainly scarce enough to at least consider certification. I like it and it should straight grade. Nice grab. I’m at about 25.

  • privatecoin
    privatecoin Posts: 3,855 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Vf25

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,927 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I really like it and think it's a great looking coin.

    Not familiar enough with the series to be sure, but it "feels" like a 30.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

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  • NumisOxide
    NumisOxide Posts: 11,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool. VF35

  • amwldcoin
    amwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Another vote for 25.

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would call it a VF30.... may even be a tad better. I would get it slabbed, it is a very nice coin. Cheers, RickO

  • Eddi
    Eddi Posts: 633 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 9, 2022 12:49PM
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    Thank you so much - I am very pleasantly surprised by your grade evaluations.
    I thought the grade was in the region of Fine 12, but I am not at all familiar with this type of coins.

    I have been wanting for 2 or 3 years now to have some of my coins encapsulated. This will be one of them when I finally do.

  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,279 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    My first impression is XF40

    Mr_Spud

  • tommy44
    tommy44 Posts: 2,347 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    As stated by others this coin is typically not well struck. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when and if you send it in for grading. A really nice dirty old gold piece that performed the task it was set out to do.

    let's see what else you are thinking about sending in someday.

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • Eddi
    Eddi Posts: 633 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @tommy44 said:
    As stated by others this coin is typically not well struck. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when and if you send it in for grading. A really nice dirty old gold piece that performed the task it was set out to do.

    let's see what else you are thinking about sending in someday.

    Thank you, Tommy. I will take you up in that offer to post here and get opinions on coins that I will want to have graded someday.

  • RYK
    RYK Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF-30 straight grade

    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • mark_dak
    mark_dak Posts: 1,161 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice, you probably did well on it if you purchased some time ago. I do question the area of the field above the scratch. Wondering if there wasn't some work done on it some time ago. You have the coin in hand, maybe you can be the judge. Worth the money to send it in to have it slabbed in any case.

    Mark

  • semikeycollector
    semikeycollector Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I agree straight grade VF-30. Very nice and original looking! A much better date!

  • jughead1893
    jughead1893 Posts: 2,196 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    30-I’d leave it raw unless you’re looking to sell.

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