Grade / Opinions wanted on this 1855 S half dollar

kaz · July 25, 2009 12:59AM

Detailwise, it looks AU something. How are the surfaces and luster?

lathmach · July 25, 2009 1:04AM

Really rare in this high grade.
If it's yours, congratulations. Mine is only a Good or VG.

Ray

BillJones · July 25, 2009 1:09AM

I'd give an EF sharpness grade, but I'd have to go over the surfaces in person to really pin down an exact grade. There might be something going on with the obverse. I don't think that there is a enough mint surface left to call it AU in any case.

PonyExpress8 · July 25, 2009 1:10AM

Great coin. It's really hard to tell from photos on this one. From what I see it's probably in the AU55 area but I can only look at luster in hand honestly. The reverse looks maybe even higher then the obverse but strike wasn't always as consistent either in the day.

BillJones · July 25, 2009 1:18AM

Many 19th century coins are stronger on the reverse than the obverse. This especially true of early (1790s, early 1800s) coins.

The obverse die may have been injured or a late die state, which would account for th lack of detail on the upper part of Ms. Liberty's body. But I'm no expert in this era. I'm just going by what I think I see.

doh · July 25, 2009 1:20AM

AU, but might be cleaned. Hard to tell from the pics.

DHeath · July 25, 2009 1:20AM

The detail and the lack of luster are at odds, at least based on the photos.

CaptHenway · July 25, 2009 1:22AM

<< <i>Great coin. It's really hard to tell from photos on this one. From what I see it's probably in the AU55 area but I can only look at luster in hand honestly. The reverse looks maybe even higher then the obverse but strike wasn't always as consistent either in the day. >>

We bought in an 1855-S the other day with an AG-3 obverse and a VG-8 reverse.
TD

PonyExpress8 · July 25, 2009 1:52AM

TD, I have seen them like that as well.

kaz · July 25, 2009 1:56AM

Looking at the outline of the darker toning around the stars and legends, I see angular shapes, which makes me think some cleaning was done at some point.

78750Aggie · July 25, 2009 2:03AM

AU-50, a very nice coin.

NumisOxide · July 25, 2009 2:17AM

XF details, old cleaning. Nice date and mint.

InternetJunky · July 25, 2009 2:22AM

<< <i>AU, but might be cleaned. Hard to tell from the pics. >>

Kind of strange on the reverse that inside the mouth of the eagle it's dark but the surrounding of the head looks clean.

dizzyfoxx · July 25, 2009 2:32AM

I like it. That is one heluva TOUGH coin to find in any condition, and that one looks sharp. By comparison, grade wise, here's mine which is a PCGS VF25....

NumisOxide · July 25, 2009 2:36AM

<< <i>I like it. That is one heluva TOUGH coin to find in any condition, and that one looks sharp. By comparison, grade wise, here's mine which is a PCGS VF25....

>>

Great piece dizzy!

LoveMyLiberty · July 25, 2009 10:13AM

Here is an example in your grade range. The bottom one is graded by PCGS as AU-53.

From a non experts perspective this is my opinion.
I won't comment on the toning details of your coin from just the photo. It appears yours
has a bit more drapery, or something there that looks like drapery. They come
without drapery, partial drapery & with drapery depending on the amount of lapping
that was done. Not sure about the rim area around 2:30 if it's a bump. The obv
shield LIBERTY is just about full, as most have parts missing as in Dizzyfoxx's, however
the rev shield has the usual light, or missing lines at the left lower area.
The star centrils are nearly full and the arrowheads and feathers have good detail.
The head, toe and gown seem more full than my coin and the reverse top wings, head,
shield and claws feet are sharply struck, but you do have a few more contact marks. The
large S is positioned with the right sides aligning with the F in HALF, similar to mine,
whereas the VF coin is centered on the F.
Hard to tell the grade of yours without seeing it, but I would think if it is gradeable it would
be around an AU-55. The pop of an AU-53 is 3/4. It is a tough coin to find unless messed with.
Nice pickup!

Mowgli · July 25, 2009 10:45AM

<< <i>AU-50, a very nice coin. >>

ksteelheader · July 25, 2009 10:47AM

Whatever the grade, it's a beauty.

Raybo · July 25, 2009 10:50AM

IMHO......................Nice eye appeal!

Grade / Opinions wanted on this 1855 S half dollar

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