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1857 half cent newp... don't know whether to love it or hate it. :(

It's definitely got character, but it seems to have flaws as well.

PCGS MS63BN OGH.

Has what looks to be some planchet flaws/impurities/splitting (obverse at about 1pm through star and field, the very center around the ear, and reverse rim at 6:30pm).

On the one hand I like the colorful nature of the piece, but on the other hand I'm guessing it comes from an old cleaning?

The strike looks like it was really hammered along the one side - see the (strike?) doubling on "OF AMERICA" on the reverse.

Really torn on this one, as there are aspects of it I like and those that I don't. image

Natural or not?


image


image

Comments

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    mrdqmrdq Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭
    I'm in the love category.

    --------T O M---------

    -------------------------
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    JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Coin has a lot to love about it and a lot to hate about it.
    I don't think this one would have a stones chance of getting back into that plastic, so leave her be for sure.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
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    holeinone1972holeinone1972 Posts: 5,368 ✭✭✭
    I can't see that as an MS anything, I collect au 58's primarily, and if it was in a au58 holder, I would not look twice, pass pass pass.
    image
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    BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As long as YOU like it, and the price was right, it's all good.
    I, personally, don't like the look and do wonder if it turned after holdering....

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

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    tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,661 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think with a little searching you could do a lot better
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
    Yeah... now that I think about it, the fact that I'm even asking the question to begin with...
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I think with a little searching you could do a lot better >>



    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 12,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A little funky looking, I guess. Do you need this particular date? It is a scarcer date, one of the lowest mintage dates in a series full of low mintage issues. If you are just looking for a 'type' piece, there are a number of very nice 1855's around, due to a hoard that turned up many years ago.
    Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
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    sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭
    Is it possible it was re-toned artificially? I don't really have the experience to say this but I can't help but feel there is something a little off about the color. I will say that the strike is bold!
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    CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,656 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The photography is great. The coin, I am not so sure about image
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    Coins are like the people we encounter in our lives. Some you like dispite their imperfections. There is something to love in every one of them. Pesonally I like the coin.

    Ron
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    Should have ended the thread after the first reply and sold it. image
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    I know it probably looks better in hand as the photos where quite
    large. I think you could like it till you upgradeimage
    Give the laziest man the toughest job and he will find the easiest way to get it done.
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    savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,372 ✭✭✭✭
    fine for a collection / tough to sell when the time comes

    www.brunkauctions.com

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    astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Yeah... now that I think about it, the fact that I'm even asking the question to begin with... >>



    You pretty much summed it up for yourself...
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
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    AhrensdadAhrensdad Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭
    The color seems off to me. Looks retoned, and not that well.
    Successful BST Transactions with: WTCG, Ikenefic, Twincam, InternetJunky, bestday, 1twobits, Geoman x4, Blackhawk, Robb, nederveit, mesquite, sinin1, CommemDude, Gerard, sebrown, Guitarwes, Commoncents05, tychojoe, adriana, SeaEagleCoins, ndgoflo, stone, vikingdude, golfer72, kameo, Scotty1418, Tdec1000, Sportsmoderator1 and many others.


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    291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,206 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Pass.

    My own experience with coins that have planchet and/or strike problems is that they are tough to sell when the time comes. I'd never buy that as a 63.
    All glory is fleeting.
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    SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,125 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you're not sure about it now--it means you'll eventually hate it.

    But I like it!
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    I would try and return this coin.
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would try and return this coin. >>



    Way ahead of ya. image Went back on Tuesday.
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,489 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I would try and return this coin. >>

    Way ahead of ya. image Went back on Tuesday. >>

    Good decision imageimage
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    joecopperjoecopper Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭
    Realo gopod decision
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    rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's nicer than average for a TPG-slabbed MS63 copper coin, despite the imperfections. I doubt you'll find a better one in an MS63 holder. Those who don't like it probably have unrealistic expectations for the MS63 grade in this series. They were expecting an MS65. TPG grading on early copper is very liberal. Go look through the Heritage archives at half cents in the same grade, and you'll see that most are less attractive than this one, and many are actually lusterless AU58's.


    Edited to add: I see the OP already returned it. I would suggest looking at MS64 and higher graded coins, based on my experience with graded early copper.

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