To me it doesn't make XF due to the flatness on the high spots. Certainly looks as tho it's been slid over a surface many times in its life, which is interesting.
Many of this date carried prooflike surfaces. Are there any of those remaining that the picture hides? Technically a high end VF can/should have luster. They just dont anymore.
If that's luster peaking out on the reverse in the devices, feathers, etc. then I would be inclined to agree with the XF45 grade. Otherwise I'd say XF40. These come poorly struck as a rule so major flatness in Liberty's leg is the norm. Same for head, upper drapery, and parts of the left side of the eagle.
I saw a friend of mine purchase a 75-cc twenty cent piece for Fine money at a recent show and the coin had about 15% orig luster. Flatness in "Liberty" and the figure lead the seller to believe it was a Fine at best. Maybe, if it were a later date seated quarter. But not for this date 20c. It was all of a VF or better even though LIberty was weak with the "ER" missing.
Also remember the basic rule that Bustman alluded to. If it's got luster, it's usually better than you think. And today, that usually means a nice VF and probably XF. Corrollary to that is that full field luster coins are usually not AU but something in the 62-64 range.
Herb: I really don't like the look of the obverse of this coin. At best it's VF. The reverse might be a VF30. I wouldn't pay stronger than VF for the coin, but I don't like the mottled look of Liberty. The cap is flat; the head is flat; there are too many flat spots and mottled spots on the coin. I would have passed; there are other 1839's out there.
It's a nice original coin. Overall I like it's look. Detailwise, I guess I'd call it VF30. I'm as far from being an authority on this as one gets, though. The rim has got a few many bumps for my liking. There would exist a price at which they wouldn't bother me, however. It's a worthwhile coin, in my opinion.
I think may be a coin that needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. I think grading the coin from this photo may not be relable. This is not a coin I am wild about, but I would not automatically dump it in the learning box. Take a good look at the strike, lustre and the pattern in which the coin has worn and make good mental notes. It always helps on coins that may fall somewhere between grades. I tend to think VF30 to 35 from the pictures
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Briggs 2-B. VF30. A more common variety. Edited: I just looked at my VF Briggs 2-B, and it has the same effect of no centrils in the stars on the right. This isn't noted in Briggs encyclopedia, but it has to be characteristic of this die variety and should not be used to knock down the grade. This condition is known for others quarters in the Seated Liberty series.
Comments
Many of this date carried prooflike surfaces. Are there any of those remaining that the picture hides? Technically a high end VF can/should have luster. They just dont anymore.
J
siliconvalleycoins.com
I saw a friend of mine purchase a 75-cc twenty cent piece for Fine money at a recent show and the coin had about 15% orig luster.
Flatness in "Liberty" and the figure lead the seller to believe it was a Fine at best. Maybe, if it were a later date seated quarter. But not for this date 20c. It was all of a VF or better even though LIberty was weak with the "ER" missing.
roadrunner
VF30 will have to do, I figured 45 was a long shot.
Herb
roadrunner
I really don't like the look of the obverse of this coin. At best it's VF. The reverse might be a VF30. I wouldn't pay stronger than VF for the coin, but I don't like the mottled look of Liberty. The cap is flat; the head is flat; there are too many flat spots and mottled spots on the coin. I would have passed; there are other 1839's out there.
Bruce
Herb
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
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no way in he11 is that xf+
K S
Edited: I just looked at my VF Briggs 2-B, and it has the same effect of no centrils in the stars on the right. This isn't noted in Briggs encyclopedia, but it has to be characteristic of this die variety and should not be used to knock down the grade.
This condition is known for others quarters in the Seated Liberty series.
Ray