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"Which coin would you rather have and why?" LOTS of images and a prize!!Grades and voting
coinguy1
Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
Whomever provides the best (notice, I didn't say most accurate/correct
) overall analysis/reply, MIGHT win either 1) the right to write a coin description for our website (subject to editing and the permission of Pinnacle's owners) and/or 2) an appearance in an upcoming story of Clankeye's, if he ever gets off his butt and writes another one. 
Disclaimer - neither Clankeye nor Pinnacle management is aware of this special "prize" offering so it is conceivable that it might become null and void - please, no lawsuits for false representations.

Which 1870 Indian cent?


Which 1879 Indian cent?


Which 1885 Indian cent?


Which 1909 (not 1913!) Liberty nickel?


Which 1879 Seated Liberty half dollar?


Which 1939-S Walking Liberty half dollar?


Which California commemorative?


Which Pilgrim commemorative?

Disclaimer - neither Clankeye nor Pinnacle management is aware of this special "prize" offering so it is conceivable that it might become null and void - please, no lawsuits for false representations.
Which 1870 Indian cent?


Which 1879 Indian cent?


Which 1885 Indian cent?


Which 1909 (not 1913!) Liberty nickel?


Which 1879 Seated Liberty half dollar?


Which 1939-S Walking Liberty half dollar?


Which California commemorative?


Which Pilgrim commemorative?

0
Comments
1870 - 2nd IHC - great strike and luster, more natural appearing color and tone.
1879 - 1st one for same reasons.
1885 - 1st one - slightly fewer field problems, better strike, nice luster.
1909 - would need to see in person - sorry. Leaning towards the second one, better strike on reverse but the 1st one could have better luster.
1879 - second one - I like freshly dipped silver. I don't know enough about toming and the 1st one makes me nervous.
1939 - same coin pre/post dip??
1925 - ditto??
Pilgrim - 1st looks original
Edited as I forgot the last 2 coins.
also has more readily apparent contact marks. I don't like the nick below the eye, and there's quite a bit of chatter on Miss Liberty's neck and around the date.
The 1870 cent is a tough one. I do not like the woodgrain look of coin #1 nor its color. I would not buy an IHC that looked like this one. While these items are superior in coin 2, the latter's diamonds are not as prominent as on the first one, and the reverse clearly has more contact marks (the O in ONE and to its left). I would not buy this coin either, but think #2 has more eye appeal than #1.
I'll let everyone else have a shot at the rest.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
2- Magnificent toning provides a uniqueness to number two, unlike the unicolor choice number one.
3- I choose number one because of the deeper red mixed with its wonderful luster.
4- With the added effect of cameo devices on mirrored fields, I choose number one.
5- Gorgeous original toning with underlying luster allows me to choose number one for its originality and beauty.
6- With a fantastic strike and awesome cartwheel luster, I choose number 1.
7- Number one seems just slightly less lustrous, however it looks like there is some original color to it, so I choose number 1.
8- The strong strike and fantastic pastel colors force me to choose number 2.
Jeremy
1870 - coin one. Despite the tiny carbon spot in the on the forth feather, it is a very natural looking high-end coin. Coin two has rim trouble that almost looks like ex-jewelry, but a nice coin.
1879 - coin one. It has great contrast, detail, and the color I prefer. I'm sure coin two will be quite popular, but I like the more natural look of coin one, and believe the surface more stable.
1885 - coin one. Much deeper color and no evidence of cabinet rub. The reverse of coin two seems to display discoloration on the wreath.
1909 - coin two. Although coin one is lovely and has a stronger reverse, coin two has a killer obverse, and appears natural and undipped. It is just clean.
1879 - coin one by two miles. The toning is an enhancement, and coin two looks dipped. The knee on coin two looks like it could use a bandage.
1939 - I love coin one, including the obverse doubling.
California #1, although hazy, I like the overall look of the coin alot. Coin two looks dipped, but has luster out the yazoo. It appears to have discoloration on the high points of the reverse, so coin one for me.
Both Pilgrims are nice, but the toning on coin two really seals the deal. What a gorgeous piece. Coin two please.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
1879 Indian cent The first one (I don't do copper and don't know about the color of the second)
1885 Indian cent The strike is nicer on the first
1909 (not 1913!) Liberty nickel The second one. Strike is better even though the first is prooflike.
1879 Seated Liberty half dollar The second one. I love that satiny luster (even with the ticks on the leg). Who knows what the toning on the first is hiding.
1939-S Walking Liberty half dollar Tough call. Maybe this is tougher because it's my series but I really would like to roll these around
and get a better look. The reverse of the first is a bit out of focus. I can't tell if the breast feather are well defined. I also can't see the
sun very well on the second.
California commemorative Probably the first one. It seems better struck but more ticks in the fields.
Pilgrim commemorative The second one. I like the toning better.
-KHayse
My Ebay Items
1879 Indian cent- #2 I love the toning. It has Spunk.
1885 Indian cent- #1 Richer red color unlike #2.
1909 Liberty nickel- #2 Although the mirrors apear deeper on the first. It lacks the frost on the obv that I want to see in a proof.
1879 Seated Liberty Half- #1 Much more original than #2 but not so dark that you cant tell what the coin is.
1939-S WL Half- #1 The second one is starting to form some toning which seems to cloud the fields. #1 is much clearer.
California Commem- #2 For the same reason as the WLH much clearer and from the scan it looks mirrored in some spots.
Pilgrim Commem- #2 I'm not a big fan of the black toning on #1. #2 is much more pleasing visually.
I assume the "rim trouble" was part of the slab holding the coin. Mark?
-KHayse
1870 IHC - I like the second one. It appears more proof like and has a full rim, the first one looks a little off center. Or perhaps the rim on the first one is a result of croping the photo or something else?
1879 IHC - I like the first one. Are these proof coins? The first has frosted devices. I might like the second better in person if the color was cooler in person and I noticed some frosting on the devices under the toning...
1885 IHC - The first one appears to have a better strike and more luster so would be my choice.
1909 Nickel - These also look like proofs to me. The first one looks to have more mirror like fields with a frostier reverse. The second one looks like a frostier obverse. Can I have the reverse from #1 mated to the obverse of #2? If not I'd probably choose #2.
1879 Half - I really like the toned one. The clean one doesn't look natural to me.
1939-S Walker - The first one seems to have better luster and strike so is my choice.
California - The first one looks better struck to me. It looks original to me.
Pilgrim - I like the toning on the second one better and would choose it right away because I haven't grown to like the toning on the first one.
#2 Coin #2 Love the color of the second coin.
#3 Coin #1 This coin looks cleaner to me, thus more appeal.
#4 Coin #2 The top Nickel may be Cam, but the second coin is
clean and a higher grade, IMO.
#5 Coin #2 The second coin is cleaner and has abetter strike.
#6 Coin #1 Much more luster!
#7 Coin #2 More luster and I assume that there is not a scratch
on the obverse running through the date on this coin.
#8 Coin #2 Better Eye appeal.
Thanks, Mark
1879 #1 better detail in the headdress, although I like the color of #2 better
1885 #1 cleaner coin. Looks like there is something going on around OF and in the left obv. field near the neck on #2
1909 #2 less spots and chatter in the fields, better detail and contrast
1879 #2 it has super luster just like the day it was minted (agruably that makes it more orignial than the toned coin even though it was probably dipped)
1939 #1 looks sharper and more lustorous
1925 #2 flashier. I am betting that the hairline through the date is on the holder
1921 #2 going with color in favor of strike
CG
Tom
p.s. is it available?
the 2nd 1979 Cent ~ briliant orange hues, original and undipped appearance, full detail
the 1st 1885 Cent ~ the 2nd one looks washed out, the first one is very frosty with a beautiful original appearance and great luster
the 1st 1909 nick, awesome proof surfaces and frosty cameo with exceptionally clean fields, the 2nd is nice but not quite as PQ as the first
the 1879 dollars? ~ want em both, the 1st has great appealing toning with clean fields and the second has some very frosty sheen going on
the 2nd 1939 half ~ very frosty, clean, and no detracting marks or spots
the 1st CA comm. ~ frosty vibrant silver tones, very clean
the 2nd Pilgrim ~ exceptional aqua toning with hints or bowns, yellows, and reds, full detail, no detracting marks, and very appealing
2) 1879 IHC - I like the first one. The satin finish is what I like about it.
3) 1885 IHC - Again the first one. Nice, even, bright brown color.
4) 1909 V Nickel - I like the second one. The obverse design jumps out more to me then the first.
5) 1879 Seated Half. The first one. I usuaully not attracked to toners but, this " hits me just right " so to speak.
6) 1939-S Walking Liberty half dollar. The second one. Looks like a warmer finish in my eyes at least.
7) California commemorative. The first one. I like the patches of gold in it.
8) Pilgrim commemorative. I like the first one. I like the spotted color.
1879 #1. Don't like the colors on #2, #1 has a beautiful strike and is what a 'real' indian should look like!
1885 #1. Even with the spot in United, this coin has much cleaner fields and a much better color than #2
Nickel -> #2. Better strike on the obverse and much more distinction between the fields and devices. Also a much cleaner coin in terms of marks and eye appeal.
Halves -> 1879 #1. Don't very often go for toning, but this one is a beauty. It also hides any surface flaws that might be there giving the coin a much better eye appeal. The second half is probably fresh from a dip, but you can see marks on the knee and on the reverse that diminish the eye appeal of the coin.
1939 #1. Stronger strike and cleaner fields than #2
Calif -> #2. Coin 1 looks washed out and overdipped, while #2 justs grabs your eyes and won't let go.
Pilgrim -> #2. Better eye appeal and toining than #1, even tho #1 might have a slightly stronger strike than #2.
Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
'Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup'
of the coins shown and not so much a clinical description as the ones mostly posted so far.
Right Mark?
Thanks for the fun!!!
The first 1870 Indian seems to have a better strike showing more if not full diamonds. It seems more red than the other which looks to be toned to a brown. I noticed the little tabs on the rims of the second one. Must be an old PCGS holder??
The 2nd 1879 looks great. Nice deep red color. It appears fully struck. This is the way I would like to find one. Looks very original and nicelt toned. Red/Brown instead of full Red, but very attractive.
I like the 2nd 1909 Nickel. It does not have the cameo contrast like the first, but the portrait is very clean and appealing. On the first one, my eyes go to all the little white specks in the field and on portrait and not on the overall coin itself.
The first 1879 half is my favorite by far. The toning is nice, and makes the coin feel original and never messed with. The second one looks to have a better strike and blazing luster, but too white for my tastes.
I like the 2nd 1939 half. It doesn't appear to be struck as well as the first, but I like the frosty look of the coin over the other.
I also like the frosty look of the first california. The 2nd has dipped look??
Both of the Pilgrims are nice, and I would be happy with both, but if I had to choose the 2nd looks to not have any marks on the face as the first does, and I personally like the colroring a bit better.
2) 1879 Indian Cent-- !st coin. Full red and nice better luster
3) 1885 Indian Cent-- toss-up. I would take the 2nd coin. perhaps slightly better luster
4) 1909 Nickel-- 1st coin- better flash.
5) 1879 Half Dollar-- 1st coin- beautiful color.
6) 1939-D Half Dollar-- tossup, I would take the 2nd coin- perhaps slightly cleaner
7) California Commem-- 2nd coin, better luster and slightly cleaner
8) Pilgrim-- 2nd coin- nice color and better luster.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
1870 1c #1 PCGS PR66RB 6 votes
1870 1c #2 PCGS PR66RD 11 votes
1879 1c #1 PCGS PR66RD 9 votes
1879 1c #2 PCGS PR66RB 5 votes
1885 1c #1 PCGS MS65RD 12 votes
1885 1c #2 NGC MS66RB 1 vote
1909 5c #1 NGC PR66* 4 votes
1909 5c #2 NGC PR67CAM 10 votes
1879 50c #1 PCGS MS67 7 votes
1879 50c #2 PCGS MS67 6 votes
1939-S 50c #1 PCGS MS66 8 votes
1939-S 50c #2 PCGS MS67 4 votes
California #1 PCGS MS65 7 votes
California #2 PCGS MS66 6 votes
1920 Pilgrim PCGS MS67 3 votes
1921 Pilgrim PCGS MS66 12 votes
To those who asked - none of these comparisons were based upon a "before and after dipping" of the same coin - each coin is different - see grades above.
My preferences, while trying to ignore the numerical grades and designations:
1870 1c #1 - richer, smoother and more natural looking color.
1879 1c #1 - by a hair. I like the color (though each is different) of both, but #1 has fewer distracting specks on it.
1885 1c #1 - I like both of them but #1 has a fresher looking appearance and better color.
1909 5c #1 - I admit, it's hard for me to be completely objective, having known the grades, in advance. But, I like the superior reverse contrast and the deeper mirror fields on #1.
1879 50c #1 - this was easy for me, as I love attractive, original toned coins and this is one pretty coin!
1939-S 50c #2 - #1 looks sharper but the little stains(?) on the sun catch my eye. And, #2 seems to have a nicer, original glow to the luster and a silky, smooth appearance.
California #2 - it has a crisper look to it. But heck, almost ALL California's look good!
Pilgrim #2 - the color makes my heart melt.
Thanks for all of your comments and replies. I believe Jeremy has won yet another contest/prize - if I can arrange it, he will either get to write a description for our website or appear in a future episode of Sir Clankeye's - stay tuned.