Opinions on the draped bust half dollar

JoeLewis · February 21, 2008 1:11PM

What say you?

STONE · February 21, 2008 1:14PM

I've seen these graded anywhere between VF-25 and VF-35.

My guess is somewhere around VF-30

JoeLewis · February 21, 2008 1:16PM

<< I've seen these graded anywhere between VF-25 and VF-35.

My guess is somewhere around VF-30 >>

What do you think about the "look" of the coin?

RYK · February 21, 2008 1:17PM

I agree with the VF grade, but I do not care for the color. It's too white in the center.

STONE · February 21, 2008 1:19PM

For the grade and details of the coin, the surfaces are too unnatural.

Likely dipped and placed in an album and got some light toning on the edge.

ColonialCoinUnion · February 21, 2008 1:20PM

I think it's more a like a VF20 at most and very white looking - especially for the grade level.

jdillane · February 21, 2008 1:26PM

Is the color in the image an accurate representation? How much, if any, mint luster remains?

While it does not look like original skin, key for me would be whether there is luster, that she is not too bright or reflective and the absence of hairlines. I'd also probably return her to an album for storage.

Gemini · February 21, 2008 2:15PM

"There is no such thing as a good war or a bad bust piece"...(A lesser known quote by Benjamin Franklin)

TomB · February 21, 2008 2:17PM

Scrub-a-dub-dub...excuse me while I vomit...

DeusExMachina · February 21, 2008 3:21PM

Looks to me like a cleaning (or stripping) and album retone.

I prefer to have skin all over the place with my album toning.

BECOKA · February 21, 2008 3:30PM

<< I agree with the VF grade, but I do not care for the color. It's too white in the center. >>

Ditto, this coin has been played with a little too much. It's not bad but it does not scream take me home either.

greghansen · February 21, 2008 4:04PM

Yucky. Doesn't do much for me. Without speculating on how it got the look it currently has, IMO the look is not natural, nor is it pleasing to the eye. I would definatley pass on that coin, even at a bargain price.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 1:07AM

This is not meant to be disrespectful to PCGS, just an honest question. If this thing is so bady cleaned, then how does it end up in a PCGS holder? Does PCGS make exceptions for this series? If so, why? I agree that it is harshly cleaned...obviously so. Why didn't it get BB'd?

291fifth · February 22, 2008 1:22AM

Cleaned long ago. Album toning at the edges. Poor eye-appeal.

Baley · February 22, 2008 1:57AM

Doesn't bother me as much as it seems to bother others; VF20 or 25 details, yes lightened and with some retoning (could use another decade in an envelope)

I'd buy this one as a Fine all day long and twice on Sunday. Would pass at VF money, as others have said, there are better VFs out there.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 5:47AM

PCGS VF25. I saw this at Harry Laibstain's Site selling for $775. I'm not buying it, but someone might want to pick it up. That seems like a fair price to me if you don't mind the cleaning.

gecko109 · February 22, 2008 5:52AM

<< PCGS VF25. I saw this at Harry Laibstain's Site selling for $775. I'm not buying it, but someone might want to pick it up. That seems like a fair price to me if you don't mind the cleaning. >>

Who would pay $775 for that one when they could have this VF30 for just a few dollars more?

Cratylus · February 22, 2008 5:52AM

<< This is not meant to be disrespectful to PCGS, just an honest question. If this thing is so bady cleaned, then how does it end up in a PCGS holder? Does PCGS make exceptions for this series? If so, why? I agree that it is harshly cleaned...obviously so. Why didn't it get BB'd? >>

I probably should keep my mouth shut. "God" might be watching.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 5:53AM

<< 

<< This is not meant to be disrespectful to PCGS, just an honest question. If this thing is so bady cleaned, then how does it end up in a PCGS holder? Does PCGS make exceptions for this series? If so, why? I agree that it is harshly cleaned...obviously so. Why didn't it get BB'd? >>

I probably should keep my mouth shut. "God" might be watching. >>

Then PM me. I'm genuinely curious.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 5:56AM

<< 

<< PCGS VF25. I saw this at Harry Laibstain's Site selling for $775. I'm not buying it, but someone might want to pick it up. That seems like a fair price to me if you don't mind the cleaning. >>

Who would pay $775 for that one when they could have this VF30 for just a few dollars more?

>>

I wish I could see that picture (my work server blocks some pictures.) Also, when you say "just a few dollars more" where are you talking about buying from?

gecko109 · February 22, 2008 5:57AM

Its in my collection, and not currently for sale. But I paid $1,000 on it and have been nothing but happy with it.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 6:01AM

<< Its in my collection, and not currently for sale. But I paid $1,000 on it and have been nothing but happy with it. >>

I would say that $225 is more than just "a few more dollars."

gecko109 · February 22, 2008 6:03AM

<< 

<< Its in my collection, and not currently for sale. But I paid $1,000 on it and have been nothing but happy with it. >>

I would say that $225 is more than just "a few more dollars." >>

When discussing two coins that cost 775 and 1000, 225 to me at least is just a few dollars. Likewise, two similar coins that are priced $78, and $100....I wont even hesitate to take the one with superior eye appeal.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 6:07AM

<< 

<< 

<< Its in my collection, and not currently for sale. But I paid $1,000 on it and have been nothing but happy with it. >>

I would say that $225 is more than just "a few more dollars." >>

When discussing two coins that cost 775 and 1000, 225 to me at least is just a few dollars. Likewise, two similar coins that are priced $78, and $100....I wont even hesitate to take the one with superior eye appeal. >>

Like I said, I can't see the coin you posted here at work. I'll check it out at home. Eye appeal certainly does make a decision easier.

But, you have to draw a line somewhere. I'm sure there is a VF35 somewhere that looks better than your coin, and I could say "Why would anyone pay $1000 for that when they could have gotten this for just a few dollars more."

gecko109 · February 22, 2008 6:09AM

Absolutely correct Joe. Lines need to be drawn and budgets maintained. I thought that my DBH was probably the most coin I could get for the grand, and a grand is what my target price for an example of this type was.

JoeLewis · February 22, 2008 6:53AM

<< Absolutely correct Joe. Lines need to be drawn and budgets maintained. I thought that my DBH was probably the most coin I could get for the grand, and a grand is what my target price for an example of this type was. >>

I'm actually looking for a choice, original-looking F12 or 15. The more I look at these the more I realize eye appeal varies GREATLY from coin to coin.

coinkat · February 22, 2008 6:56AM

Joe... you asked for an opinion and I would pass on this one. Be patient and look for better example. Not to bring up old issues, but coins in slabs that look like this is why there is a need for an original surfaces designation.

JRocco · February 22, 2008 7:54AM

Bad pics Joe, but a real nice looking coin.

Phoenix21 · February 22, 2008 8:05AM

I do think PCGS and NGC make exceptions with series like those and such, except I think they let this one slide too much. Not sure though, as I am no expert.

Phoenix

TomB · February 22, 2008 8:20AM

PCGS and NGC allow coins of this era to be certified even when they have significant enough manipulation that would preclude the certification of latter-date coins such as late-nineteenth century pieces or later. I agree with gecko109 that his coin has appeared to retone much more than the piece linked in the first post and I find his piece to be more appealing for that reason. It is too bad you are entering this niche today and not a few years ago since you may have been able to purchase something like this PCGS VF30 1805 for only $400-

Opinions on the draped bust half dollar

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