PCGS AU-58 Bust Half. Upgrade candidate?

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 6:54AM

I just picked up an 1830 large O bust half from David Lawrence Rare Coins. Its a STUNNING coin, and I'm VERY happy. Care to take a guess at the grade? What do you think?

On the obverse face side there is a scratch on the holder and a die crack - no damage to the coin. On the reverse there are a couple spots, but much less noticable in hand. Blue perepheral toning (in JUST the right light). Thanks for looking!

mgoodm3 · May 17, 2005 6:56AM

63

oldcameoproofsguy · May 17, 2005 7:04AM

au58 or ms64

nepbrs44 · May 17, 2005 7:05AM

AU58

RYK · May 17, 2005 7:10AM

MS-61 with cool die crack

Longacre · May 17, 2005 7:12AM

MS-65

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 7:47AM

quite the range! any other guesses? i'll post the grade once i get another 5 or so.

Wisconsin · May 17, 2005 8:02AM

So hard to tell from a picture whether it is a AU58 or MS62

PerryHall · May 17, 2005 8:10AM

<< <i>au58 or ms64 >>

stman · May 17, 2005 8:11AM

OK, how bout a hint, does the luster flow completely through the fields? There appears from the image
to be some friction there is why I ask.

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 8:21AM

the left field on the obverse has some funky luster action going on, but it is not a break in the luster. looks like 2 crescent moons 1-3 mm apart facing opposite directions (towards the face and bottom star on the left side)

edited to add: the above description and the couple carbon spots on the coins reverse are the only things i dislike at all

stman · May 17, 2005 8:29AM

Thanks, For some reason this seems like a tough one. Judging from the image there appears to be friction on the cheek and just a touch on a couple other high spots. I'll guess this is in a 62 holder. Not saying that would be my opinion though.

poorguy · May 17, 2005 8:32AM

I see just a bit of rub on the high points in the hair but the detail is very nice. I can't tell any luster from the pic and that is very very very important when determining AU vs. MS with these coins. AU58 if luster is inhibited and MS63 if luster is fair.

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 8:58AM

thanks for giving your opinions guys

. there is MINOR rub on some high points as mentioned, but just wanted to see your opinions.... i think this belongs in a 62 holder tbh, and i bought it as au-58 very reasonably priced!

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 2:22PM

what do you think? worth trying to upgrade?

MICHAELDIXON · May 17, 2005 2:27PM

I personally wouldn't recommend you try to get it into an MS holder. It clearly has rub and I think the grade is maxed out at 58.

stman · May 17, 2005 2:39PM

When I guessed it might be in a 62 holder notice I mentioned that wouldn't be my opinion. I believe the cheek has too much friction
and I would hate to see this in a mint-state holder. If you're thinking value and re-sale at some point....
A nice AU-58 will sell for 62 money easier than an over-graded 62 IMO. If it had full field luster and some exceptional colors and such it might go 62.
But I just don't see that with this piece. Enjoy the coin for what it is and don't worry about the numbers.

BTW, I almost guessed AU-55

but you said it had full field luster so I was thinking 58 and suspected it to be in a 62 holder is all.

numobri · May 17, 2005 2:41PM

I think you have a very high end AU58,nice coin.

Do you up grade?

I think your already there.

IMO.

Brian

clackamas · May 17, 2005 2:46PM

High end AU58 but its an AU58. Worth 62 money or better but still AU

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 3:06PM

well my plans, honestly are to crack it out at some point and put it in my dansco =P. i bought the bad boy for 320, truth be told, and just wanted to make myself believe i got a hell of a deal (which i think i did, its a beautiful coin with minimal wear!) i just see too many au-61/62's and wondered if it would be worth sending it in for a possible upgrade. thanks a lot for all the help!

numobri · May 17, 2005 3:13PM

Try the upggade,it'll only cost about $25.00,if you win,your in.

I think it only show that you have a good eye.

Good luck.

Brian

pursuitofliberty · May 17, 2005 3:25PM

I personally wouldn't recommend you try to get it into an MS holder. It clearly has rub and I think the grade is maxed out at 58.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so ...

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 3:31PM

i think i can live with that

stman · May 17, 2005 3:39PM

<< <i>i bought the bad boy for 320, truth be told, and just wanted to make myself believe i got a hell of a deal (which i think i did, >>

You did get a good deal on this piece in the holder it's in. Congratulations by the way!!! Ya don't need no upgrade to confirm this IMO.
I guess you can tell grades aren't very important to me anymore..... The enjoyment of the coin is most important.

And looking at these "Naked" without the plastic is even more enjoyable. I was looking at a low grade circ the other night just
fondling (yes I'm sick)
the thing and looking at the nice original dirt and enjoyed it much more than some higher graded slabbed pieces I own.

Darkmane · May 17, 2005 3:46PM

stman i agree 100%. thanks again for all your input! my only worry is that i'll damage the coin "fondling" it. i just got a safety deposit box, but before i would pull my type set from my mini safe daily, look at my newest pieces 100's of times, and poke at the plastic album coin protectors over and over. now that i cant access it daily i guess i'll sleep better at night (for the security and keeping the coins out of my grasp!)

Elcontador · May 17, 2005 4:19PM

This is one of the toughest series to grade. From what I've seen recently, a 19th century type coin in an MS 62 holder is an attractive AU 58 which has been cracked out two or three times and has been market graded.

Your image is too dark for me to comment re the obverse. The key here is luster breaks / changes in luster at the coin's high points. Re the reverse, the eagle's rt (viewer's lt) wingtip clearly shows wear. Therefore, to me, this is an AU coin all day long, albeit an attractive AU coin.

As an aside, if a dealer thinks he has a liner coin and if it upgrades, he could make some more money on it, he won't sell it to you or me; he'll submit it himself.

matteproof · May 17, 2005 9:51PM

The coin looks nice. However, if you look at the "curl" right above the ear, and hair just near the "y" in liberty, you will see what appears to be obvious rub (unless it's just the photo). Accordingly, if it's rub, it would seem that the au58 grade is accurate. Nevertheless, anyone who has been collecting for more than a week knows that these things can sometimes slip through at the grading services and a better grade might result. Indeed, I've seen way too many 63's that were really 58's lately. IF you believe its an au58, why try to fool yourself with the plastic? Do you plan to sell it as a 63 if it slabs at that grade?

matteproof

PCGS AU-58 Bust Half. Upgrade candidate?

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