RWB

The major authentication and grading companies are prime instigators in "grade inflation" and absence of firm standards. Doubtful they will change. Those who buy and sell coins for profit, also want lower "standards" because it makes their existing inventories worth a false-more with no effort. That permits easy picking of collectors' pockets by sell commonplace EF coins with an "AU-50" coin label.

It has not been printed and released yet. I delayed publication, but am now making the final edits and proof reading. Should go to the printer by the end of the week. Trying to hold price down without cutting quality.

Ordinary low-end AU. Probably authentic as Mark notes.

The new photos are much better. Aim for at least this photo quality in future posts. They clearly show it is a damaged, corroded 1920 cent. Doesn't matter if it had rainbow-skittle stripes and polka dots; it is what it is. You asked for opinions from experienced collectors and that is what they provided.

This illustration should help. Notice the labels at top. The coin is "medal turn." If it were normal "coin turn" the "2 cents" would be upside down.

To measure diameter with calipers (nylon is best for coins - not steel), place the coin flat then hold the caliper flat and measure. If the coin and caliper are perpendicular, you will likely get an incorrect measurement due to difficulty in measuring across the exact diameter. PS: You cent is a beat-up 1920, worth 1-cent.

Long ago my grandmother gave me a silver dollar on my birthday for each year of my age. If not bright and new, her way of making them "better" was to shine them with pot cleaner, or wipe them vigorously on her kitchen apron with stone ground flour. Back then it didn't matter - silver dollars were available at any bank, saloon, or cat-house.

The designs are bereft of innovation and originality....merely cheap commercial illustrations for cereal boxes.

I'm puzzled about why the "Innovation Dollars" are so prosaic.

No legitimate authentication service or coin seller would: a) authenticate either coin, and b) designate either "proof like." Variety of your 1878 dollar is immaterial - the coin was ruined long ago. Woods Alex and the others are entirely correct.

Thank you! A Nice diversion from parking lot doubled dies and "mint errors." The falcon is supposed to be protecting the baby, but it really seems to be preparing to make a meal of the kid. James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby, 6th Baron Strange. (1664–1736) "Derby" is pronounced "Dah-r beh" the 'r' is soft. The obverse French inscription "Sans Changer" is commonly translated as "without changing," but in context it can also mean "eternal." "Quocunque Jeceris Stabit" is usually translated from Latin as “Wherever you throw it, it shall stand." It’s meaning is less literal: “Wherever thrown [ I ] will land upon [my] feet.”

Fun and personal enjoyment are the base of any hobby. Collect and learn about things of interest, then expand into related things.

Polished and ruined. Filters make no difference.

Note that the "grade" on most of these proof slabs does not reflect (sorry...) the amount of visible detail. Suggest collectors look for best details first, then "grade."

This post on another message board is certain to confuse and mislead newer collectors. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1075302/the-original-1916-quarter The statement in that post is entirely false. The obverse design pictured was MacNeil's final design and the one actually approved for use by Secretary of the Treasury in late August 1916. The Mint director stuck with a modification of the original (May 1916), then Morgan revised it for the initial 1917 coins. MacNeil objected and was allowed to revise his design to the one known as "Type II." (The photo is one I took while authenticating the bronze cast in 2008.) The reverse pictured on the false post dates from 1917 and was one of MacNeil's proposed modifications to the star arrangement. It has no connection whatsoever to the dolphin obverse, It was never used. [See Renaissance of American Coinage 1916-1921 for facts.]

Sorry! I have only a Homer Simpson account, but no one has used it. It's only 10 years old though.

Magical! Call Harry Potter !

Very sharp overdate. Nice to see and a great item from your father.

"circulation strike" - meaning made for general circulation.

Shawn11 -- New photos are much better at showing the coin as-is. Clearly AU and cleaned. I agree with Woods020 and FlyingAl. Arrows point to the "halo" of abrasion and field disturbance that separate a circulated from Uncirculated coin. On your coin these areas also have evidence of cleaning/chemical dipping. The obverse has similar indicators to left of Liberty's profile.

Mechanical doubling can produce some very interesting looking coins. There are 1921 Peace dollars that look like they have a doubled profile, but are really machine doubling. "Mechanical doubling" (aka 'machine doubling' or 'shelf doubling') can be virtually identical on a large number of coins. This is because an equipment defect causes the planchet to wobble slightly during striking, and the problem will occur until the coinage press is repaired (or wears through).

Small mintage but saved in large quantities in original bags.

Reverse photo suggests the coin is not Uncirculated, although some TPG will claim an AU is "MS-63." "Conservation" will stabilize the surface and remove most extraneous debris, but nothing will "restore" the coin.

Mechanical doubling (aka "machine doubling"). Very common. No value. Look here for truthful information: http://www.vamworld.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2647

This post on VAMworld should help: http://www.vamworld.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2647 Your coin has mechanical doubling - there is no cure...