If there's good luster, it's pretty nice for a dipped coin.
The first pictures make it look lifeless. I'm assuming the picture in the slab is more indicative of the luster, because there's no way this coin is a 64 if the luster is as dead as the top images make it look.
I think the bottom picture is going to be more like what it's actually going to look like in hand. It's a nice coin. Common as a date, but very rare in this state of preservation.
The 1853 Arrows & Rays Half is a common coin, even in high grade. That particular coin seems to have been dipped in the not too distant past. Price would be a major consideration. It's not a coin I would pay any premium for.
I am a novice collector of seated coins, but my initial impression, from the image alone, is that the coin has been dipped and there is some unattractive brownish residue in the periphery, most notably in the obverse from five to seven o'clock. As others have pointed out, and it is a matter of taste, I prefer my seated coins to have a little more of a natural appearance with less of a blast white look.
Why I like it: It's a nice type coin with little or no actual circulation. It's a 'clashed die' [see the marks in the field just to the right of Liberty? That matches the under part of the eagle's right wing]
Why I don't like it; IMHO, it has been cleaned, mybe expertly cleaned; however, the over all appearance to me is too 'flat." There is a rather large 'spot' on the top of the eagle's left claw and a smaller, fainter one just above it. Maybe the object of the cleaning, who knows?
Anyway, if it were available to me at a price I thought right, I'd put in my type collection..
The coins as others have mentioned is too white. It looks like it has been dipped at some point. There is no toning to speak of. Coin in hand might be a different case, but somehow I doubt it..
IMHO, it's a coin that was purchased raw and toned for MS-63 money or less; dipped and submitted to obtain the "market acceptable" grade of MS-64. Pass.
I'm a sucker for that year and in that grade they are pricey. That being said; I think I'd pass on it. There are others out there with much better eye appeal for what a 64 would likely cost.
just a little too-overdipped with not much meat(luster) left on it. there is some nice metal-flow as evident in the right field, but might have had more at one time(or not) depending on what the originally toning looked like.
Better than what is typically seen in MS64 holders today. NGC 64's are even more lackluster and often with a touch of knee rub. This one is a shade dullish, overdipped with residue remaining, and semi-impaired luster. No knee rub but unattractive discoloration on the highpoints. I'd want better for my MS64 "money." Overall a decent coin for the grade but just "stuff" imo.
Survival rate of 1853's in all grades of mint state is considerable. If it wasn't a one year type coin, it would be priced as a common date.
But.....finding undipped, choice original specimens with no rub from MS63 and up is difficult these days. Seems like the majority of these in UNC are now dipped. It's as if everyone has gone out of their way to ruin all the 1853 dimes, quarters and halves.
The black dot on the reverse, just above the highest leaf, turns me off on this dipped coin. I would put this coin on the low end for the holder grade.
I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
I purchased this one at the last FUN show for several hundred dollars under MS-64 bid. It is in an NGC MS-64 holder.
To those who say that the 1853 arrows and rays half dollar is a common, I respond, "True, but not in strict Mint State." I've seen very few of these coins that I would call Mint State, and all of the true Mint State coins were white or used to be white after they were dipped and then toned over.
So far as the coin that started this thread, it all depends upon the price. It's not worth PQ money, but I would not reject it out of hand.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
<< <i>Technically nice, looks like, but visually uninteresting. >>
I tend to agree.
Always took candy from strangers Didn't wanna get me no trade Never want to be like papa Working for the boss every night and day --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Comments
to determine if i like it or not. ;-)
but it is a nice looking high grade coin.
Technically nice, looks like, but visually uninteresting.
Based on the bottom pic I like it. It looks to be a much more accurate photo of how it actually look in hand. Appears to be dripping with luster.
The first pictures make it look lifeless. I'm assuming the picture in the slab is more indicative of the luster, because there's no way this coin is a 64 if the luster is as dead as the top images make it look.
Tyler
It's a nice coin.
Common as a date, but very rare in this state of preservation.
Ray
The coins looks OK - a little too white for my taste, but others may disagree.
Because.....its high grade, I am one of the crazy guys that collects condition, so when I die it will be easy to sell my collection.
AL
Then again, I don't collect or know squat about the series.
-------------
etexmike
it appears many do not like the coin because of it being
too white. i agree.
It's a nice type coin with little or no actual circulation.
It's a 'clashed die' [see the marks in the field just to the right of Liberty?
That matches the under part of the eagle's right wing]
Why I don't like it;
IMHO, it has been cleaned, mybe expertly cleaned; however, the over all
appearance to me is too 'flat."
There is a rather large 'spot' on the top of the eagle's left claw and a smaller,
fainter one just above it. Maybe the object of the cleaning, who knows?
Anyway, if it were available to me at a price I thought right, I'd put in my type collection..
is no toning to speak of. Coin in hand might be a different case, but somehow I doubt it..
Bruce
<< <i>The coins looks OK - a little too white for my taste, but others may disagree. >>
Hey, I was going to say that.
<< <i>Although there is nothing glaringly wrong with it, my preference would be to have a bit more toning on a coin of that era. >>
I have to Agree... It's a beautiful strike, but boring w/o a little color.
<< <i>Too white >>
Agree.
J
siliconvalleycoins.com
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
<< <i>A nice looking well struck coin but not one I would buy. However I wouldn't turn it down if someone donated it to my collection. >>
If somebody donated it to my collection, I would toss it in a Heritage auction.
well. I LIKE IT!
thanks for the generous giveaway!
myurl http://www.foundinrolls.com
designset
Treasury Seals Type Set
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
==Looking for pre WW2 Commems in PCGS Rattler holders, 1851-O Three Cent Silvers in all grades
Successful, problem free and pleasant transactions with: illini420, coinguy1, weather11am,wayneherndon,wondercoin,Topdollarpaid,Julian, bishdigg,seateddime, peicesofme,ajia,CoinRaritiesOnline,savoyspecial,Boom, TorinoCobra71, ModernCoinMart, WTCG, slinc, Patches, Gerard, pocketpiececommems, BigJohnD, RickMilauskas, mirabella, Smittys, LeeG, TomB, DeusExMachina, tydye
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Survival rate of 1853's in all grades of mint state is considerable. If it wasn't a one year type coin, it would be priced as a common date.
But.....finding undipped, choice original specimens with no rub from MS63 and up is difficult these days. Seems like the majority of these in UNC are now dipped. It's as if everyone has gone out of their way to ruin all the 1853 dimes, quarters and halves.
roadrunner
Here is a photo of the coin I was actually considering buying, offered by Mark Feld:
It has the look I prefer.
I would do the exact same thing after i wrote them a nice thank you letter of course
That Feld coin has a much better look to it
To those who say that the 1853 arrows and rays half dollar is a common, I respond, "True, but not in strict Mint State." I've seen very few of these coins that I would call Mint State, and all of the true Mint State coins were white or used to be white after they were dipped and then toned over.
So far as the coin that started this thread, it all depends upon the price. It's not worth PQ money, but I would not reject it out of hand.
<< <i>Although there is nothing glaringly wrong with it, my preference would be to have a bit more toning on a coin of that era. >>
<< <i>Technically nice, looks like, but visually uninteresting. >>
I tend to agree.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
That is to say that I would be more than happy to accept it as as gift, but it isn't the look that I would pay for. Does that make sense?
<< <i> Explain why/why not. The coin is from the upcoming Heritage CSNS sale. >>
I'm not crazy about it, but I'm not sure why.
K