My new TONED merc.....let me have it

Bochiman · April 24, 2006 2:49PM

I saw this, it's my mom's birthyear, I liked the look...she likes mercs and frankies....so I bought it.

Great seller on ebay (his pics will be shown first....he did an excellent job on the pics as this is a HARD obverse to take a picture of).

So, let me know what you all think (I am not even going to guess the grade on this one, but you are welcome to)....it is raw....

Seller pics:

My obv pic tries:

My rev pic:

Mesquite · April 24, 2006 2:52PM

Nice toner!

ER · April 24, 2006 2:53PM

<<Let me have it>>
What was the temperature setting?

ER · April 24, 2006 2:55PM

Hey Ron, you got a new camera or something? I see you've been showing a lot of very nice coin pics lately. Good job man.

pharmer · April 24, 2006 3:01PM

Yeah, saw that when he had it listed. Wondered if it was ms, and what it looked like in hand. Still wonder what it looks like in hand.

Bochiman · April 24, 2006 3:04PM

Thanks ER...

1) Don't know the temp setting

.... reputable seller on the board...his stuff normally goes for good money...I got lucky on this one as I put in a bid 2x as high as it went for...I really wanted it for my mother's set.

2) No new camera....I've been listening and asking questions, as some of you that are much better at picture taking than I am help, so that I can get better and learn. Hopefully, it is helping.
Also, I got 2 small OTT lights (I think I should have gotten 3 when they were 50% off, but I had never used them before so I didn't know) and I bought a small tripod from staples ($8) that I remember somebody recommending.

Those things made picture taking with my Nikon Coolpix 5400 doable (K6AZ recommended the camera a year ago, but I didn't know how to take the pics until I learned the macro mode, turn off the flash, use the timer, and get the above equipment).

I am trying to get better, but the software I use to crop is limited and I sometimes use "autocorrect" unless it looks really different....(my reverse pic is not autocorrected or anything...I didn't like the autocorrect look...so, it is a pure shot)

Bochiman · April 24, 2006 3:08PM

<< <i>Yeah, saw that when he had it listed. Wondered if it was ms, and what it looked like in hand. Still wonder what it looks like in hand. >>

In hand, obverse looks a little darker in normal light (not ott light or sunlight) from 10-4o'clock. Hard to describe further.
Reverse is very much what it looks like in the pics.

Is it MS? I don't know the strike characteristics.....Could be AU (at worse I think) or MS......I like the look so I am glad you didn't bid

MikeInFL · April 24, 2006 3:11PM

If you like it, that's really all that matters. However, that coin looks AT IMHO...Mike

Bochiman · April 24, 2006 3:17PM

<< <i>If you like it, that's really all that matters. However, that coin looks AT IMHO...Mike >>

Mike, that's why I said "let me have it"

Now, can you tell me WHY you think it is AT?
Again, for the price I paid, I am fine.....it won't kill me....but, if it is AT, I can learn. If NT, then cool.
(I would rather have a $25 learning fee and tuition as a buyer than a $500+ fee....right?

)

MikeInFL · April 24, 2006 3:24PM

I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, an expert in AT coins, and I don't collect Mercs as anything other than type, so I will defer to those who are more studied on the topic. However, the colors just don't look "right" to me. It doesn't appear to be a roll coin, nor does it seem to be an album coin. Taking those togeher, it got the AT vote from me. However, it is very pretty and I'd love to see it in-hand to render a better opinion. In any event it wasn't an expensive lesson even if I am right, and if I'm wrong you've got a very pretty coin and one I'm sure you're mother will love regardless of how it got that way...>Mike

p.s. our mothers were born the same year.

uofa1285 · April 24, 2006 3:39PM

I really like the look of this coin...EXCELLENT grab from eBay. Congrats! Doug

pursuitofliberty · April 24, 2006 5:10PM

I think you did well ...

... although very difficult to make an accurate assessment from the pictures ... If the luster is there (check the highpoints of the curls and wing near the center of the obverse, and the cheek), I think it is Choice (63+) ... some noticable weakness in the legend, some hits notable on the reverse

also, based on your pictures I think the toning is probably fairly natural (although I would guess accelerated) ... the sellers pic's make it look more AT than NT

Bochiman · April 25, 2006 12:45AM

What is weird is that, due to the toning, in hand, the legend isn't really weak....but, in the pics, it looks that way....I had to look at it again, after I saw the pics....

TorinoCobra71 · April 25, 2006 1:20AM

The Reverse Toning Is Stunning!

TC71

Bochiman · April 25, 2006 1:24AM

<< <i>The Reverse Toning Is Stunning!

TC71 >>

I agree Gary....the reverse is why I bid on the coin. The obverse is nice in hand, not ugly at all, just a bit darkly toned. The reverse.....I likey!!!

My new TONED merc.....let me have it

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