Altered Surface Mercury, Value? Grading?

Comments

• Fairlaneman Posts: 10,426 ✭✭✭✭✭

  July 30, 2008 3:23AM

  The die cracks did not give the coin the altered surface designation something else did. Die cracks are very common on all dates of mercury dimes. Thru the years it seems like 19D is a date that has very pronounced and large die cracks. Some coins really look like they were struck just before the die finally fell apart.
  
  Below is a 19D that is graded MS62 by PCGS. Just possibly it did lose one point because of the die cracks. It is really clean for a 62 and has no luster problems that warrant MS62.
  
  

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• BrunosGhost Posts: 27

  July 30, 2008 3:54AM

  Dood that is spooky. You coin is almost an exact replica of my coin. The die hits/cracks are identical. Amazing. So what does an altered surface grading do to the value of my coin?

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• BlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭

  July 30, 2008 4:01AM

  An "altered surface" return from PCGS would be a "bodybag" - no grade assigned. That precludes the assertion that the coin was graded numerically 64FB, at least by PCGS.
  
  If the coin were numerically graded by another company (say NGC) and submitted to PCGS for crossover service, and they declined to cross it over for altered surfaces, the coin would still be an MS64FB - just not at PCGS.
  
  The value would be whatever the market would be willing to pay for a coin of that grade in that holder. PCGS is not the final arbiter of altered surfaces - the knowlegable collector is.

  Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1

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• LanLord Posts: 11,723 ✭✭✭✭✭

  July 30, 2008 4:46AM

  
  
  << <i>In general, what does this do to a coin's value and/or Grade? Let's say for instance it was a ms 64 FB 1919 D Merc that came back Altered Surface from PCGS. What is the value? A friend of mine has a coin like this. PS My "friend" noticed that there were spiky looking die marks on the L B and T in LIBERTY as well as similarly shaped and sized "gouges" at 1 and 7 o clock on this coin. Forms somewhat of a star pattern. Is this a common die defect for this year? edit found this link with the pic of a coin with similar cracks/breaks. Link >>
  
  I don't know for sure, but I imagine that there was something under Miss Liberty's chin that has been buffed away. That's why the lettering in "GO" and part of "D" are weak as compared to the rest of the motto

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• BrunosGhost Posts: 27

  July 30, 2008 5:36AM

  
  
  << <i>An "altered surface" return from PCGS would be a "bodybag" - no grade assigned. That precludes the assertion that the coin was graded numerically 64FB, at least by PCGS.
  
  If the coin were numerically graded by another company (say NGC) and submitted to PCGS for crossover service, and they declined to cross it over for altered surfaces, the coin would still be an MS64FB - just not at PCGS.
  
  The value would be whatever the market would be willing to pay for a coin of that grade in that holder. PCGS is not the final arbiter of altered surfaces - the knowlegable collector is. >>
  
  
  
  True, the coin is not PCGS rated. I am merely doing a hypothetical. If it is agreed by a "majority of experts" that the coin has been altered, what can I expect in loss of value? Is it 50%, 20%? With a very high value coin such as this, is it worth trying another service? Or is it very likely to come back again? What are your experiences with resubmitting coins?

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