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Based on the photos, which Dahlonega $5 is "better"? (updated)
RYK
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Based on the photos, which coin is "better"? Which coin has the higher technical grade? Which has better eye appeal? Which would you rather have?
Coin A (1 set of images):
Coin B (2 sets of images):
Coin A (1 set of images):
Coin B (2 sets of images):
0
Comments
The originality of #1 is unclear given the photographs. If I had a return policy and could have only one coin sent to me, and given the information provided, I would choose #1...Mike
<< <i>I really like the originality shown in the in-slab pics of coin #2, but the hit on the chin kills it for me.
The originality of #1 is unclear given the photographs. If I had a return policy and could have only one coin sent to me, and given the information provided, I would choose #1...Mike >>
The hit on the chin is very distracting.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
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My take: AU 58...nice coin for the grade.
Coin B:
NGC 62. Looks like its a decent 62, even with the chin mark...which
would preculde me from being interested in it.
"Better" could mean lots of things.
I like Coin A "better" than coin B.
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But I do not see anything terribly wrong with the first coin, either.
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The first coin is in a PCGS MS-61 holder and was purchased from the ANR Old Colony sale last year. While the ANR photograph shows great detail, like some of their photographs, this one is overexposed. The actual color is a natural, yellow-orange gold. I do not believe the coin has been dipped or recolored, but I have not been with the coin in its 160 year existence to prove it. There is a paucity of distracting marks, a strong strike, nice luster, and overall excellent eye appeal. If someone suggested that it is an "old time" AU-58, I would not disagree, but since this coin blows away any AU-58 I have seen, I think that it is graded appropriately. I also believe if the coin was submitted 100 times, fewer than ten times would it get the AU-58 grade. As an MS-61, it is a pop 4/0 coin.
The second coin is currently for auction at Heritage. It is the highest graded 1846-D $5 at this time (NGC MS-62). I have trouble evaluating the coin with any degree of certainty based on the the two images, as they are so different. In the first image, the coin appears really washed out. There is a grease mark on the chin, one on the coronet, a scratch on the bust, and specks of dirt all around, the latter feature I find to be quite pleasing. Judging solely on the first image, the coin has poor eye appeal, IMO. However, on the second image, the coin's color looks lovely and original. The distractions are still there, and the luster is muted. Plus, there appears to be some rub on the usual highpoints. I would guess, solely on the images, if this coin were submitted raw to PCGS, it would have a hard time getting the MS-62 ("finest single coin") grade. It might even be pressed getting an MS grade.
A few notes about the 1846-D $5. There are actually two naked eye varieties: the more common 1846-D/D (below) and the less common 1846-D (normal mintmark), which these coins in the OP are. Both varieties are considered an integral part of the 26 coin basic Dahlonega $5 set (though interestinly, you do not need both for the complete set in the NGC registry). Of the 1846-D normal mintmark, there are roughly 110-130 known in all grades and 12-15 in higher grades (AU & MS). It is the fifth most scarce Dahlonega $5 overall and the second most scarce in high-grade, trailing the 1842-D $5 LD (the other year of an essential variety).
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Thanks for the thread. Interesting.
Take a look at coin A. I suspect a lightly dipping as the field INSIDE the date looks darker or dirty. Everything else around the coin looks brighter. I wonder?
myCCset
Good point. I do not think the coin is 100% original, but in hand, it has a nice, unprocessed MS look to it.
RYK
The NGC MS-62 sold for $23,000 in the Heritage auction, a record for the date. I spoke to DW about the coin, and he feels that it is accurately graded and likely the finest known. Congrats to the new owner.
<< <i>Update:
The NGC MS-62 sold for $23,000 in the Heritage auction, a record for the date. I spoke to DW about the coin, and he feels that it is accurately graded and likely the finest known. Congrats to the new owner. >>
Thanks for the update. It's amazing how deceptive pics can be.
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