CBH rim dings...bad enough to bag?
lkeigwin
Posts: 16,894 ✭✭✭✭✭
I bought this 1819/8 from a well-known, respected CBH dealer. On ebay. I've bought many nice coins from him. Although rim dings weren't mentioned in the auction I could see a "bump" at 12 o'clock, reverse, from the pictures. So I knew something was there. But this dealer has a sensible return policy so I pulled the trigger.
It arrived today and although I like a lot about it I will probably return it. But before I do I figured I get some other opinions. Pictures can make small flaws look huge, you know?
Note that the larger rim dent is at the edge-letter R in DOLLAR. So it gives the appearance of an uglier scar than it is.
I think PCGS would give this a genuine 95. Or am I mistaken? What do you think?
Lance.
It arrived today and although I like a lot about it I will probably return it. But before I do I figured I get some other opinions. Pictures can make small flaws look huge, you know?
Note that the larger rim dent is at the edge-letter R in DOLLAR. So it gives the appearance of an uglier scar than it is.
I think PCGS would give this a genuine 95. Or am I mistaken? What do you think?
Lance.
Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
0
Comments
<< <i>What's going on in the obverse field? >>
Looks like someone scratched their initials---graffiti.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>
<< <i>What's going on in the obverse field? >>
Looks like someone scratched their initials---graffiti. >>
Missed that! In that case I retract my previous statment for a BB/GENUINE
<< <i>What's going on in the obverse field? >>
Right, there are some faint scratches on the obverse, above the Bust's bust. They look prominent in that photo. In other pix they were barely perceptible. And they were mentioned in the auction, FWIW.
Graffiti is unforgivable. I wrote them off as circulation damage. Maybe I'm wrong about that too.
Lance.
<< <i>
<< <i>What's going on in the obverse field? >>
Right, there are some faint scratches on the obverse, above the Bust's bust. They look prominent in that photo. In other pix they were barely perceptible. And they were mentioned in the auction, FWIW.
Graffiti is unforgivable. I wrote them off as circulation damage. Maybe I'm wrong about that too.
Lance. >>
Based on the photos, the possibillity exists that they are graffiti.
Lane
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Mark
Discover all unpredictable errors before they occur.
U.S. Type Set
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
The marks in front of the bust are more distracting to me however the the rim dings AND the marks together would likley get it a Genuine holder.
Send it back Lance and look for a problem free CBH.
As I said earlier, the seller did cite the scratches, just not the rim dents: "1819/8 O.103a Large 9 R4 Bust half dollar, a completely sweet, original and attractive xf++ to au, but for some very light pinscratches in the left obverse field. In every other way, this is a spectacular coin."
You could not see the scratches in his otherwise decent photo. Different lighting will hide them.
Have you asked the dealer if he thinks it will grade with the rim bumps and scratches?
I have not. I'm not sure of the point. If he said yes, should I hold him to it? No, I don't think that would be right. If he said no, he'd just be guessing like the rest of us here.
Too bad... not good for slabbing, but a real nice 'collection' coin - though not likely available at the price the condition warrants.
Yes, it is a very nice piece in spite of its issues and that's why I'm on the fence. I'm into it at VF money, which is very fair, I think.
All the little problems add up to a gennie IMHO.
I'm drawing the same conclusion. A problem-free slab would be a very nice bonus as I think it's a 45. But I don't think it will make the grade, so to speak.
Lance.
<< <i>My opinion: Genuine >>
Yes, I agree Genuine, but I have seen stuff like those initials get through, perhaps as the dealer claimed as a "net grade." Still the "net grade" was on a Bust Dollar, which had some sharpness and rarity going for it.
<< <i>All the little problems add up to a gennie IMHO. >>
Lafayette Grading Set
Send it back, and get one already holdered.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
As for the scratches...well, I could have posted other images and you wouldn't have noticed them. Much like the auction photos. For me it was the combination of problems. The wisdom of this board convinced me that the coin...as nice as it is in many ways...would not find its way into a non-genuine holder.
Lance.
It would not slab due to the surface marks, but the coin is a nice
collector grade example of the issue, affordable and collectible.
We can be a little snooty here at times in that we like to oohh and aahh
over those perfect toned AU 58 slabbed, beaned, plussed, starred, blessed examples.
But a coin like this is a perfect coin for a coin collector who doesn't want to drop 4 figures
on every CBH in his/her collection. Think about how many hands have carefully held and
stored and hopefully admired this coin in the 190 odd years since it was struck.
This is a great coin and it will hopefully find it's way into someone's collection who
will keep it conserved as is....even with it's scratches....till he/she passes it on to
another collector.
<< <i>Sorry, but the scratches in the left obverse field mean this coin should be bagged. The rim dents might have been overlooked, because often, the edge lettering rolls over the edge, thereby making it look like rim dents.
Send it back, and get one already holdered. >>
I agree with Mozin; If the dings/scratches bother you now, they'll always bother you, even if it grades. I'd send it back & buy one already holdered. They're not rare, after all.