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1903-S US-Philippines Peso - Properly Graded?

SametsSamets Posts: 290 ✭✭✭
edited December 10, 2025 6:45AM in U.S. Coin Forum

Picked up this 1903-S based on the PCGS TrueView photos. Looked a bit ugly with the posted TrueViews but the price seemed too good to pass up so I grabbed it...

Here's the PCGS TrueView:

Here's the coin in hand:

Different angle and eagle close-up:

What I thought was wear on her head appears to be toning. I'm not sure if the eagle's breast is wear or just a weak strike?

Here's a close-up of the head and chest:

The coin exhibits excellent luster in hand and even though there is some chatter in the fields, I feel this coin should still get an MS61, maybe even MS62...

Any thoughts? Am I missing the wear?

On a side note, I'm also torn on getting it re-graded... The holder is Gen 5 with the insert from Gen 4.6 Gold Shield.

Comments

  • MEJ7070MEJ7070 Posts: 413 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice coin. FWIW I like it as a 58.

    Maybe it’s just me, but I personally would not choose to try to turn any of my 58s into 61s.

    (Probably just my old Everyman set collector roots talking.)

  • SametsSamets Posts: 290 ✭✭✭

    I'm OK with it staying a 58 but at 61 and 62 the value of the coin doubles and triples so there's that feeling like I found a diamond for cheap...

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,877 ✭✭✭✭✭

    AU55. Be happy with what you got.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,415 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You might get some valuable insight from @wondercoin as he has significant experience in this segment of the hobby-industry. Good luck.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

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

    image
  • SametsSamets Posts: 290 ✭✭✭
    edited December 10, 2025 11:20AM

    @TomB said:
    You might get some valuable insight from @wondercoin as he has significant experience in this segment of the hobby-industry. Good luck.

    Would love to hear opinions. It looks a lot better in hand with great luster.

  • SametsSamets Posts: 290 ✭✭✭

    @291fifth said:
    AU55. Be happy with what you got.

    Where is the wear I'm missing then?

  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 17,057 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hi Samets. You have a nice coin there whether it is an AU58 or an MS61. And, with your original holder, from a value perspective it might not matter whether the AU58 grade moves up to MS61. That is because the difference in price between the 2 grades is just a few hundred dollars. But, there is the cost of grading to consider as well as losing the older holder with a strong coin in it as compared to a “typical” MS61 graded coin in a new holder. From the value perspective only, it doesn’t appear to be a strong candidate to submit for reconsideration. That said, if you want to roll the dice and risk all the fees and costs associated with the regrading to likely end up with a coin worth just a few hundred dollars more even if you are successful, there is also another grade involved here that could at least get your costs back (that is, roughly a “push”) and that is, of course, AU58+. Good luck with whatever decision you select!

    As always, just my 2 cents. Shout out to TomB!

    Wondercoin

    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,877 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Samets said:

    @291fifth said:
    AU55. Be happy with what you got.

    Where is the wear I'm missing then?

    Very light wear but noticeable hairlines. I don't want to see hairlines like that on an AU58 graded coin.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,182 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @291fifth said:

    @Samets said:

    @291fifth said:
    AU55. Be happy with what you got.

    Where is the wear I'm missing then?

    Very light wear but noticeable hairlines. I don't want to see hairlines like that on an AU58 graded coin.

    Is there more tolerance for hairlines on this series than for others? I have submitted Walkers and Peace Dollars with much less hairlining that got no-graded.

  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,906 ✭✭✭✭✭

    AU58 is the "Everyman's" registry set dream. I would leave it as is. While the prices on the 61's and 62's are higher as they should be, I think that AU58 is more desirable. JMHO. Bob.

    image
  • SametsSamets Posts: 290 ✭✭✭

    The coin is for my World Coins minted by United States so the higher grade is better for the multiplier on this coin.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,154 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yes - would say it’s a 58.

    Investor

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