Should I have this liberty half eagle graded?

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silvergold1700
silvergold1700 Posts: 10 ✭
edited July 16, 2022 9:10PM in U.S. Coin Forum

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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  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,519 ✭✭✭✭✭
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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.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • ChangeInHistory
    ChangeInHistory Posts: 3,121 ✭✭✭✭✭
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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.

  • JonBrand83
    JonBrand83 Posts: 490 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Hard to tell from the dark pics but I would.

    Jb-rarities.com
    IG: jb_rarities

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,870 ✭✭✭✭✭
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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.

  • silvergold1700
    silvergold1700 Posts: 10 ✭
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    @ChangeInHistory said:
    Based on the pictures, I guess not.

    If you can post some better images, that would help get some more opinions.

    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.

  • silvergold1700
    silvergold1700 Posts: 10 ✭
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    @logger7 said:
    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.

    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?

  • clarkbar04
    clarkbar04 Posts: 5,029 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    MS66 taste on an MS63 budget.
  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,149 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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

  • Downtown1974
    Downtown1974 Posts: 7,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That is the perfect candidate for a Capital holder. Nice old, gold!

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,061 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 17, 2022 5:44AM
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    @silvergold1700 said:

    @logger7 said:
    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.

    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?

    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.

  • tommy44
    tommy44 Posts: 2,347 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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

  • privatecoin
    privatecoin Posts: 3,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Grade it for authenticity.

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

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • DelawareDoons
    DelawareDoons Posts: 3,444 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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."

  • pcgscacgold
    pcgscacgold Posts: 3,831 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Enjoy it raw. It is fun to handle old gold like that. Use the money saved to buy a nice graded coin.

    Completed All CAC approved Classic Head $5 set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/344241
    CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,829 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great 7070 coin. I'd leave it raw.

    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,870 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BillJones said:
    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.

    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.

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The standard from economical grading used to $200 or more in value. Now it’s $500+.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,829 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @logger7 said:

    @BillJones said:
    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.

    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.

    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.

    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,870 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @messydesk said:

    @logger7 said:

    @BillJones said:
    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

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