I've taken my first step in my coin collecting journey.
I finally found a 1908-S Indian Head Half Eagle to complete my small set of Indian Half Eagles from the San Francisco Mint. The coin was a lovely example that was graded AU55 by NGC. It looks solid for the grade. The coin was purchased at this month's FUN on my behalf by a very good friend.
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Is grading becoming too subjective?
A few months back, I cracked a 1909-D Gold Indian Head graded MS61 by NGC out of its havily scuffed and scratched holder to make up a 5 coin minimum submission. This coin came back from NGC in bodybag. The same company who previously graded the coin MS61 said the coin was "improperly cleaned".
Last month, I sent the coin to PCGS for a free grading (their quarterly members special) and it came back AU55.
Makes me wonder really how one grader sees it as "i
From MS61 to body bag in 60 seconds.....
I have been fascinated by the Gold Indian Head Half Eagles since I first saw its unique incuse design. I started collecting them in 2007 but gave up shortly after as they are too difficult to find in Australia where I live and most of the coins for sale in eBay I found were counterfeit.
A few months back, my interest for this gold coin was rekindled and I managed to purchase a few raw coins and PCGS/NGC graded ones. I decided to upgrade my NGC member
Day of reckoning for my Indian Heads fast approaching.
NGC's really flying and getting those grades done really quick. I've sent 7 Indian Head half eagles and 1 Indian Head quarter eagle for grading, which were received 26 November and today, 29 November, they are in Quality Control! This is great. I just hope they don't all comeback graded AU or lower. Fingers crossed for MS.
Cheers!
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