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Guess The Grade: 1876-CC Liberty Seated Dime F-131a - Severe Die Rust - Grade Revealed (MS67)

Davidk7Davidk7 Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭
edited May 24, 2025 3:17PM in U.S. Coin Forum

This coin caused quite a fervor on Instagram when I posted it along with other coins I was sending to grading, with multiple people saying the coin was counterfeit, acid-treated, details etc, and liking the comments. I even got a private message from someone who said "you know the coin is fake right?" Anyways, I bought this coin with terrible photos from a middle of nowhere auction and sent it to PCGS, because I knew about how severe die rust was for some of these Carson City issues. Have fun with this one! Grade will be revealed in 24 hours. Not sure how happy I am with the TV's, so I have attached photos of how it looks in hand.




Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram

Comments

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 998 ✭✭✭✭✭

    MS 62?

  • johnhenry9009johnhenry9009 Posts: 255 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 23, 2025 4:09PM

    I want to say MS 65

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 7,835 ✭✭✭✭✭

    58

  • Rc5280Rc5280 Posts: 355 ✭✭✭✭

    MS66

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,752 ✭✭✭✭✭

    55

  • marcmoishmarcmoish Posts: 6,504 ✭✭✭✭✭

    65

  • jfriedm56jfriedm56 Posts: 1,777 ✭✭✭✭✭

    MS 64

  • RobertScotLoverRobertScotLover Posts: 1,010 ✭✭✭✭✭

    cool die state, ms64

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,868 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm going with 63, but I won't be surprised with better.

    My Ebay Coin Store
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,874 ✭✭✭✭✭

    63+

    bob :)

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,577 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A coin that should not have a numerical grade assigned. It should be noted as genuine, struck from extremely rusted dies. It is a coin for a specialist who appreciates die problems of that nature.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,451 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 23, 2025 6:20PM

    I feel I can see a couple of rub spots, so I'll say AU58. JMO
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,022 ✭✭✭✭✭

    58

  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 23, 2025 6:52PM

    65 dipped/cleaned

    Edit to say, I like it

    https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/

  • hummingbird_coinshummingbird_coins Posts: 1,321 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Surfaces look super clean, only things that seem to hold it back are the strike (which is probably as good as it gets for the die state) and the slightly dulled luster from the rusty dies. I don't see any cleaning or dipping, just that "old-time gem" look, likely from being stored in an envelope. I'll go with MS66. Nice find, way to prove them wrong.

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,604 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What Fortin number is this?

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • Davidk7Davidk7 Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway said:
    What Fortin number is this?

    I believe it’s an F-131a

    Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 4,302 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @AUandAG said:

    @PeakRarities said:
    66 and very original to me, apparently struck with very tired dies that were stored outdoors in the rain for a while? :p

    Not for everyone, but I can’t make out any notable contact marks or circulation wear, so i can’t really see anything less than gem.

    My research says that they were stored in the boiler room in the basement. The dies that werre found outside, next to the foundation, were discarded there having already been used or no longer needed. The boilers were heated with native pine or fir from the Sierra's. Lot's of enviornmental problems for dies for sure. The were placed on shelves and supposedly greased before storage prior to being put into use.

    bob :)

    Oh wow, I was honestly just talking out of my arse honestly. I have very little knowledge of the processes at the CC mint, but figured there had to be some unusual explanation for such deep pitting.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
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  • Steven59Steven59 Posts: 9,839 ✭✭✭✭✭

    With so called die rust it's a great strike - at least a 65.

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,300 ✭✭✭✭✭

    MS63

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,466 ✭✭✭✭✭

    66

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,300 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I took a sneak peak and all I can say is wow! I'd be interested to know how much you have in it and what you believe it would bring in an auction today. Congratulations!

  • RexfordRexford Posts: 1,273 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had guessed 66 from photos of the raw coin, but from these closeups I might have said 67+. Beautiful surfaces.

    Gobrecht's Engraved Mature Head Large Cent Model
    https://www.instagram.com/rexrarities/?hl=en

  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 6,018 ✭✭✭✭✭

    65

    Mr_Spud

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,577 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Rexford said:

    @291fifth said:
    A coin that should not have a numerical grade assigned. It should be noted as genuine, struck from extremely rusted dies. It is a coin for a specialist who appreciates die problems of that nature.

    ...huh?

    It is a coin I personally would not want in a collection. Some collectors treasure such coins but some don't. Would I consider paying high MS money for it ... not a chance.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,466 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @291fifth said:

    @Rexford said:

    @291fifth said:
    A coin that should not have a numerical grade assigned. It should be noted as genuine, struck from extremely rusted dies. It is a coin for a specialist who appreciates die problems of that nature.

    ...huh?

    It is a coin I personally would not want in a collection. Some collectors treasure such coins but some don't. Would I consider paying high MS money for it ... not a chance.

    That’s a different matter from what you posted earlier (stating that the coin didn’t merit a straight grade) and which caused @Rexford to respond as he did.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • lermishlermish Posts: 3,600 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow, congrats! That's a "You Suck" award if I ever heard it!

    chopmarkedtradedollars.com

  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,218 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I knew the grade, but felt it was a 66, although honestly I can see 67 too I think (pretty rarefied air so I know I wouldn't have guessed that). As struck, and appears to have impeccable luster and preservation.

    The Die State is interesting, and probably acts as a negative for all but a few specialists, but probably not much of a negative. My 2c ...

    I also have read the same information that Bob @AUandAG posted about the Die mishandling. I knew it was something similar, so thanks for reminding me of that Bob as it had been a while.


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

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,599 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What a cool coin! Congratulations!

    My YouTube Channel

  • safari_dudesafari_dude Posts: 140 ✭✭✭

    Wow! Just goes to show there are still some amazing finds out there! Congratulations on the find of a lifetime!

  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 5,957 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Davidk7 said:
    Drum roll please….. MS67

    @VanHalen I’d love to share the info as to what I paid and what I think it’s worth. I bought it raw for $244 bucks all in from a back country auction from bad photos, I knew the coin was Gem, I had it at 65 shot 6 so it was a pleasant surprise to see the posted grade. I think it’s worth more than $10k, which is GS bid, and the last comp was 10 years ago. The coin is actually very lustrous, attractive and technically pristine with not a contact mark on the surfaces.

    What is a back country auction? And how did you find said auction? Nice coin and find.

    Many happy BST transactions
  • Davidk7Davidk7 Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 25, 2025 9:52AM

    @cheezhed said:

    What is a back country auction? And how did you find said auction? Nice coin and find.

    Small-time or rural would be my go-to synonyms, and I stumbled upon it online.

    Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 7,835 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Congrats!

  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,300 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Davidk7 said:

    @cheezhed said:

    What is a back country auction? And how did you find said auction? Nice coin and find.

    Small-time or rural would be my go-to synonyms, and I stumbled upon it online.

    This is an amazing story. You should submit it to Coin World and The Numismatist. B)

  • MarkMark Posts: 3,565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is one heck of a catch! Your hard work (and guts!!) certainly paid off.

    Mark


  • 4Redisin4Redisin Posts: 447 ✭✭✭

    @Davidk7 said:
    This coin caused quite a fervor on Instagram when I posted it along with other coins I was sending to grading, with multiple people saying the coin was counterfeit, acid-treated, details etc, and liking the comments. I even got a private message from someone who said "you know the coin is fake right?" Anyways, I bought this coin with terrible photos from a middle of nowhere auction and sent it to PCGS, because I knew about how severe die rust was for some of these Carson City issues. Have fun with this one! Grade will be revealed in 24 hours. Not sure how happy I am with the TV's, so I have attached photos of how it looks in hand.

    Knowledge is power!

  • Pnies20Pnies20 Posts: 2,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Congrats David. FWIW, I guessed 65 when it was raw from photos.

    BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.

  • Davidk7Davidk7 Posts: 506 ✭✭✭✭

    @Pnies20 said:
    Congrats David. FWIW, I guessed 65 when it was raw from photos.

    I think there are still some spots open in the Summer Seminar Grading Part 1 Course for ya :D

    Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram

  • Pnies20Pnies20 Posts: 2,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Davidk7 said:

    @Pnies20 said:
    Congrats David. FWIW, I guessed 65 when it was raw from photos.

    I think there are still some spots open in the Summer Seminar Grading Part 1 Course for ya :D

    1. Too old
    2. Too fat
    3. Too lazy

    BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.

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