Guess the grade of this (grade revealed - MS66) Seated Liberty Dime..
coinguy1
Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
While I am not quite in the same boat that you folks are with respect to this coin, I don't know its grade either. But I do know and will share with you, that it was sent to me by someone who thought I would like it. And the images were shot by someone (else) who almost always does a great job.
Based on what I can see, the coin looks as if it must grade one of (only) two different possible grades. I will share my opinion later, after others have had time to reply.
Based on what I can see, the coin looks as if it must grade one of (only) two different possible grades. I will share my opinion later, after others have had time to reply.
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I have trouble grading seated dimes for some reason.
I almost always overgrade them by a point or two.
"Question your assumptions."
"Intelligence is an evolutionary adaptation."
Hoard the keys.
<< <i>..... (Side note: I hate using the word "guess" when it comes to grading any coin in a series that I collect and should know how to grade, but in this case, it's the right word.) >>
No matter how expert one is, when it comes to putting grades on coins based on images, it really is a matter of guessing.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
I see no signs of wear, plenty of luster, attractive color, a strike that is at least average for the type, and very few obvious flaws on either side. Is that die clashing or contact marks in the right obverse field, beneath the "ME" in "AMERICA"?
As soon as I viewed the images, the grade that jumped out at me was MS66. I think that there is roughly a 75% chance that it received that grade.
From there, I asked myself whether it could grade lower or higher than that. If the images are close to accurate, I just can't see the coin as an MS65 (or lower). I have handled a large number of MS65 and higher graded ones, and to me, it just looks too good and clean for an MS65. But, depending on what that is in the right obverse field and whether there are marks not apparent in the images, I think it has a shot to be an MS67. So, I think there is about a 20% probability that it graded MS67 and 5% that it graded 65. I will be stunned, and then some, if it graded lower than MS65
I have invited the gentleman who shot the images to post how the coin differs from the images provided, but not to reveal the assigned grade. I don't know when he will actually see my invitation, however.
I didn't study the coin in great detail, but I certainly remember it. It is very bright, with super lustre and exceptional color. There are no marks that struck me, though I easily could have missed light chatter. Any particular mark that could alone really affect a grade usually shows up as I'm positioning lighting, so I don't think I missed anything severe--anything but minor chatter. All-in-all, my recollection is that the coin is a solid gem-plus, and it has exceptional eye appeal. It's the type of coin I would buy in a heartbeat if it were in my price range.
For those who want, here are two larger sets of images, both with less compression than the one originally displayed by Mark. Don't use them to micro grade, but rather you can get a better idea of what is/isn't a mark, and how relatively small it may be. The huge image is a tad soft--my camera's going to the repair shop to take care of that shortly.
1200 pixels wide
3000 pixels wide
Surely you wrote down the cert # for insurance purposes before you shipped the box off!
<< <i>MS64 or AU58 - need coin in hand and loupe >>
That's my thought, although even then I probably wouldn't be sure!
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>Second, the coin is sealed in a shipping box now, so I can't access the grade
Surely you wrote down the cert # for insurance purposes before you shipped the box off! >>
Jeremy was just forwarding the coin(s) to me on behalf of another party, after having imaged it/them. I wouldn't expect him to have noted the ID/cert numbers.
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.
Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.
It's simply an observation of mine, as the subject coin of this thread reminded me of several Barber Dimes that I have previously seen -- and liked.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
<< <i>Mark: Although I am no expert in Seated Liberty Dimes, I have observed similar Reddish Brown rim toning as exhibited on your coin, more frequently on Barber Dimes than on Seated Liberty Dimes.
It's simply an observation of mine, as the subject coin of this thread reminded me of several Barber Dimes that I have previously seen -- and liked.
Stuart, I think I have seen that type of toning a bit more frequently on Barber than on Seated material, but that it's been fairly close. For the record, the coin is not mine.