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Should I have this liberty half eagle graded?
New to coin collecting. I purchased it raw in "AU condition" from a bullion dealer. I have a MS-64 half eagle, which when compared, has more marks but also has more luster. Here are some photos:
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Looks real to me but I'd get it certified. Gold has been counterfeited to the extent that if I'm buying online, I'll only buy certified and I find value in authentication.
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Based on the pictures, I guess not.
If you can post some better images, that would help get some more opinions.
Hard to tell from the dark pics but I would.
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Probably an above average AU. No real spread between AU and commercial Uncs., around $550. You'd spend a good chunk of money to get it graded. Would sell raw.
By better, do you mean higher resolution? This is about as high as I can go with my camera. I need to get a macro lens to go higher.
Thank you for your opinion. What would explain an MS-64 being graded much higher even with more marks? Is it the increase in luster?
Marks don’t make a coin au. Look at the darker areas in the fields and how the protected area around the stars has more luster.
The coin you picture appears to be a common date AU. It is probably genuine but would gain little value from being slabbed. The bullion dealer sold it as raw and you should as well.
I think it would be a waste of money to have the coin graded. There are plenty of dealers and collectors who are confident enough in buying ungraded AU gold coins, such as yours, at fair market value.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Nice old gold coin.... AU is fair, not worth grading unless you just want authentication. Better to sell it and buy a slabbed coin. Cheers, RickO
That is the perfect candidate for a Capital holder. Nice old, gold!
It is worn down. Bag marks are contact marks left by single impacts. Wear can be much more even and is simply friction wearing down the high points. The FIRST thing you should look for is wear. The second thing is contact marks. Then luster. An POOR coin might have no marks at all as they have all worn down but it also has little remaining details of the coin.
On your coin, look at the hair above the ear. I imagine your 64 does much more detail in the hair.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Looks genuine from the pictures. I wouldn't spend the money to get it authenticated and graded. Spend that money on your next purchase instead.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Grade it for authenticity.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
I just submitted a piece of Confederate paper money for grading which has a similar value to this piece. It cost something like $80 for grading and one way shipping. Grading costs have really gone up since I was paying for it prior to 2010.
I wouldn't grade it. Looks real enough that it would sell fine raw, if that is your goal.
Grading gold is effin expensive!
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Enjoy it raw. It is fun to handle old gold like that. Use the money saved to buy a nice graded coin.
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$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Great 7070 coin. I'd leave it raw.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Plus membership fees were instituted for dealers at the main competitor. I don't get why the prices have gone up so much if business is thriving.
NGC has the gold rush, PCGS used to have something similar. On 5 gold coins like this you used to be able to get them graded with them for $20/coin. No more.
The standard from economical grading used to $200 or more in value. Now it’s $500+.
Dealers can submit under the "small gold express" tier, which is $30/coin for a minimum of 10 coins, restricted to $2.50 and $5 Liberty and Indian with a maximum value of $2500/coin.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
They have the annual membership requirement now for everyone, even dealers that amounts to around $200/year on top of that. Most people don't have that many gold coins that qualify to send in anyway.