Guess The Grade: 1876-CC Liberty Seated Dime F-131a - Severe Die Rust - Grade Revealed (MS67)
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
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MS 62?
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58
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MS66
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55
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65
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MS 64
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cool die state, ms64
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63+
bob
Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com1 -
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.3 -
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 Twain1 -
58
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A grade is supposed to be a measure of the state of preservation.
Except for a little toning, this coin looks like it was when struck (no circulation wear).So I will guess MS65.
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65 dipped/cleaned
Edit to say, I like it
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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 Khaled2 -
What Fortin number is this?
Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.1 -
@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
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@PeakRarities said:
66 and very original to me, apparently struck with very tired dies that were stored outdoors in the rain for a while?
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
Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com5 -
@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?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.
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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!"
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MS63
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66
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
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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!
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@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?
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I had guessed 66 from photos of the raw coin, but from these closeups I might have said 67+. Beautiful surfaces.
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65
Mr_Spud
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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 a steal 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.
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
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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.4 -
@291fifth said:
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.
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Wow, congrats! That's a "You Suck" award if I ever heard it!
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
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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 #2422 -
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Wow! Just goes to show there are still some amazing finds out there! Congratulations on the find of a lifetime!
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@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 transactions1 -
@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
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Congrats!
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That is one heck of a catch! Your hard work (and guts!!) certainly paid off.
Mark
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Congrats David. FWIW, I guessed 65 when it was raw from photos.
BHNC #248 … 140 and counting.
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@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
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
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