Need help and opinions please

ajman · October 17, 2010 8:25AM

Take a look at the coin that I won at the Heritage auction in Long Beach. If you look between the B and the E in the word Liberty from a NE-SW position, you'll see what appears to be a dark line running from about the middle of the two letters to about the top of the forehead of the portrait. Does anyone have any idea of what this is? I've looked at it a dozen times and tilted it, and looked at it with a loupe and from what I can tell in hand, it isn't some kind of residue on the surface of the coin. It just appears to be some kind of weird toning, or is it? Has anyone seen this type of toning before. Any clues would be appreciated. Thanks, Tony.

LindeDad · October 17, 2010 8:31AM

No real way to tell from the image. An AU coin like that could of been in circulation for awhile and picked up anything.

ajman · October 17, 2010 8:46AM

Thanks for responding, but as I said, it isn't anything on the surface of the coin. Because as I tilted it back and forth and in bright light, it appeared to disappear at certain angles. Also, do you think that it detracts from eye appeal?

jmski52 · October 17, 2010 9:30AM

It's not very noticeable but I wonder if it might have been from being in contact with a rubber band at one time. Nice coin, BTW.

ajman · October 17, 2010 9:46AM

Thanks jmski52. I appreciate any and all comments. I guess when I bid on this coin, I thought that I saw all the flaws with it and when it was delivered and I looked at it in hand. it took me by surprise that I didn't see it earlier before I put in a strong bid. I like the coin and the price that I paid for it, but I'm a little hard on myself for not seeing the toning in question before hand.

coinguy1 · October 17, 2010 9:53AM

My guess is that you are seeing the remnant of what was once toning there, which had etched into (or permanently stained) the surface of the coin, slightly.

ajman · October 17, 2010 10:12AM

Hi Mark. When you say remnant of toning that was once there, what do you mean? Respectfully I'm not sure I understand. Is it toning or had it been tried to be removed and this is the result? I'm sure if NGC graded it as AU-58 that they thought that it is natural toning, no? I'm just trying to learn.

coinguy1 · October 17, 2010 10:25AM

<< <i>Hi Mark. When you say remnant of toning that was once there, what do you mean? Respectfully I'm not sure I understand. Is it toning or had it been tried to be removed and this is the result? I'm sure if NGC graded it as AU-58 that they thought that it is natural toning, no? I'm just trying to learn. >>

Yes, I believe that there was once toning in that area, and you are seeing what remains after a dip. NGC and PCGS grade countless dipped coins - there is nothing unusual about that.

Edited to add: One other possibility is that it's a planchet flaw - is that area, by chance, slightly depressed?

TennesseeDave · October 17, 2010 10:45AM

Possible planchet flaw,but what's going on between the R & T?

Dog97 · October 17, 2010 12:46PM

Feld is probably spot on with the dip comment cause the brown under the 2 looks like dip residue also, but being circulated it could be a million things and anything is only a wild arse guess.
I also noticed the disturbance between RT that looks like a lamination. That's interesting.

lkeigwin · October 17, 2010 1:10PM

<< <i>Feld is probably spot on with the dip comment cause the brown under the 2 looks like dip residue also, but being circulated it could be a million things and anything is only a wild arse guess. >>

I agree. I also think you're looking too hard.
Lance.

LoveMyLiberty · October 17, 2010 2:35PM

From the E to the forehead looks like the remnent of a streak of grease mark.
Between the R & T and to the right of the Y looks like a small lamination.

ajman · October 17, 2010 4:38PM

The area between the r and t and to the right of the y looks like milk spots to me.

LotsoLuck · October 17, 2010 4:39PM

Looking at the op's pics and description, M Felds comments and others, I have come to one conclusion, my monitor sucks

Onedollarnohollar · October 17, 2010 4:48PM

anyone else think this is too strong a grade on the slab? I would not have given it a 58. To my eye it look xf45 maybe AU50 because of the rub/wear on the hair, In God We Trust, and date. Could be a weak strike, but that's just my opinion. Is that doubling under his chin or just reflection off of the slab?

Dog97 · October 17, 2010 5:23PM

I see your point but the HUGE picture makes it look horrible and exaggerates the face ticks & the rub on the high points to but I think your 45-50 is too tight. The fields don't appear to be beat up so it probably has nice luster and is 55-58 in hand. Does appear to be doubling under the chin.

1Mike1 · October 17, 2010 7:46PM

No idea what it is but for a circulated coin I think it looks ok. I don't think it detracts from eye appeal.

ricko · October 17, 2010 8:44PM

I think you are being hyper-critical. Even under that extreme magnification I would say it is a sound AU58, no real problems. Cheers, RickO

crypto79 · October 17, 2010 10:23PM

I think Mark is correct

kurtdog · October 18, 2010 1:57AM

It actually continues through the profile of the forehead and it looks to be just a light streak of tarnish to me.

Dog97 · October 18, 2010 6:47AM

I'll take a stab at an answer for ajman. The thing is almost 80 years old with little circulation so obviously it was stored smoewhere, (paper envelope, whitman etc) before being holdered by NGC. The black areas are probably the remnants an unattractive album tone or spotting that was dipped away.

ajman · October 18, 2010 10:20AM

I just wanted to take the time and say thank you to all who responded. I really appreciate all your comments and insight. I also think that in hand it's a nice coin, but the sreak bothered me but I think I can live with it. Thanks again everyone.

Need help and opinions please

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