RWB

These might help:

Now, if you had a pile of 1792 half dismes sitting on your desk along with that pile of 1796 quarters, the story might be different.

Philippines, 1944 5 centavos ("cents"). Struck during US control of the islands from 1898-1946. Many issues were made at the San Francisco Mint. There are also proof sets from the early 1900s.

Harry's Dad? Are you sure he said "strike thought?"

Just curious --- what can be done with 25 and 40-year old obsolete books like these? (My old stuff is given to kids....)

Could someone plane off one edge of two holders and glue them together? (Or.... plane off one-half of two coins, glue together and pop into one holder? But, that might be considered damage.)

Would the OP please tell us which "reputable coin grader" was consulted?

It is either a scratch or a bee flying very fast to get to the flowers....

PS: Your photos are better than those posted by most new collectors. Take your time, ask questions and to stay organized. [If you are uncomfortable asking a "silly" question on the open forum, you can always send a private message.]

(Letter from Secretary of the Treasury Mellon to the President of the Senate, dated January 17, 1930, transmitting draft of proposed bill to provide for the discontinuance of the coinage of the $2.50 gold piece. A preliminary draft was sent to Federal Reserve Banks January 3, 1930 and resulted in unanimous agreement.) January 17, 1930. My Dear Mr. President: I am transmitting herewith draft of a proposed bill to provide for the discontinuance of the coinage of the $2.50 gold piece. The $2.50 gold coin is one not used or required in commerce, and is one for which there is no demand by the public, except during the Christmas holiday season. The coins are in demand at that time for use as gifts, but when so issued they very generally disappear from circulation. While a total of $50,541,4 7 5 in $2 .50 gold pieces has been coined for the period from 1796 to December 31, 1929, a total of only $170,307 .50 of these coins remained on hand in the Federal reserve banks and the Treasury offices as of December 31, 1929. It is unlikely that a material amount of the coins now in circulation will ever be returned to the Treasury. For some years the number of $2.50 gold pieces coined has been grossly insufficient to meet the Christmas demand therefor, and much irritation is created each year by the distribution of an inadequate supply. If the supply were wholly cut off, no inconvenience to business would be experienced. However, if, on the other hand, this coinage is to be continued, the supply must be greatly increased in order to fully satisfy the Christmas demands therefor. The gold required for the manufacture of an adequate supply of these coins is needed, and can be utilized to better advantage, in the public interest, as a basis for credit and for other purposes. Moreover, at the present time the capacity of the coinage mints is taxed to meet the requirements of business and commerce, and to suspend or interfere with the manufacture of needed denominations of coins for the purpose of manufacturing coins which are used almost entirely for gift purposes and which disappear from circulation after being issued, is undesirable from a business and a practical standpoint. Under the circumstances, I am very strongly of the opinion that the coinage of the $2.50 gold piece should be discontinued, and recommend that a bill along the lines of the attached draft be enacted into law. A draft of the attached proposed bill has been sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Very truly yours, A. W. MELLON, Secretary of the Treasury. (Coinage was officially discontinued as of April 11, 1930. The last quarter eagles were produced at the Philadelphia Mint on October 22, 1929 in the amount of $505,000. –RWB)

“H. R. 9894, now before you for consideration, provides for the discontinuance of the coinage and issue by the Treasury of the $2.50 gold piece. “The $2.50 gold piece is a coin that is not used or required in commerce. It is too small for convenient circulation and may be confused with a new 1-cent piece. There is a demand for the coin only during the Christmas holiday season for use as gifts, but when distributed for that purpose they very generally disappear from circulation. In effect, therefore, the Government is put to some expense in issuing a coin that is not a necessary part of our coinage system, but which is used merely for Christmas gifts. “So long as the statutory authority exists to coin the $2.50 gold piece the suspension of its coinage by the Secretary of the Treasury is of doubtful legality. For the past few years an amount of about $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 of these coins has been minted and distributed annually. When it becomes known that coins of this denomination are being minted a greater demand is created for it, and this demand is for coins of a current date. Dissatisfaction results when the demand is not met. In order fully to satisfy the demand it has b been estimated that it would be necessary to coin between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000 in these coins annually. To coin that amount would interfere with the manufacture of denominations of coins for which there is an actual need by the business public.” [House of Representatives. Hearing before the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. March 10, 1930.]

I drive collectors to numbness by scribbling articles and books that are truthful, accurate and blowout many time-honored myths.

The 1929 $5 were intended to supply holiday demand for several years with the assumption that $2.50s would be eliminated. I've not found anything explaining the 1926 Eagles.

It is almost impossible to identify 69 or 70 coins from photos. Difficulties relate to plastic holders, dust specks that are not part of the coin and small defects that don't show in a single photo. Posting a lot of photos rarely helps. I think what you want to know is: Do these coins have defects that would clearly prevent 69 or 70 grades AND does independent grading add enough market value to make the coins profitable if sold or traded? To me, the coins pictured so far seem typical of original mint products.

Not clear to my why Kevine84 is upset. He is not saying he got a roll of 1879-CC dollars from an estate sale, but several Unc rolls which included one 1879-CC, plus 3 or 4 other CCs and a mixture of other mints and dates. The cent roll resembles made-up rolls sold on ebay with a 1909-S on one end and a 1909-P VDB on the other -- misc stuff in between. If the OP will ask questions and maybe post photos of some of the coins mentioned, members will likely be glad to help. PS: The Eisenhower dollar in the photos appears to have small marks here and there, so it would not make Unc-70 and possibly not 69.

It's a rare date/mint in damaged condition. It will be of significant value only to a limited type of buyer. Most Morgan dollar collectors willing to buy a 79-CC will not want a damaged coin. Note that hundreds of MS63 and MS64 coins have been authenticated. Your coin is about Extremely Fine for wear and would be worth around $1,200 undamaged. The advantage of running it through NGC is authentication, not "grading." At the least, you will know it is not a counterfeit and can attempt to sell it in its present condition. Have a jeweler remove it from the broach and insist on not damaging the coin any further.

This is a little long, but is a good explanation of Treasury Department instructions on exchanging paper currency for coins.

A lack of standards in coin grading is a severe impediment to consumers recovering losses on over graded coins. Courts will not support claims without consistent standards.

A large proportion of the "toned" coins you see offered have been artificially colored, then priced as if they were natural products. Visually appealing toning on circulated coins is especially unusual and is one sign of a coin having been cleaned then artificially colored to hide the mess. If you buy from reputable coin dealers and auction companies you will be in a better position to acquire nice coins for your collection. In the price range mentioned, you can find some nice coins in NGC, PCGS and ANACS holders.

Well, it can produce nice coin photos....

True. But that is, after all, an opinion - something not easily enabled in a machine. Would you want it too, anyway?

Try: Robert Rhue Numismatics 2821 S. Parker Rd, Suite 1245, Aurora, CO 80014

Is the title statement correct? Is it an "art" by any standard? Can objective and subjective be separated? Would that return integrity to independent "grading?" [The title quote is by grader Don Bonser in a PCGS post earlier today.]

Try this one.... https://www.keyence.com/landing/microscope/lp_video_vhx7000.jsp?ad_local=cta_428_01

Yes. Saw it there. It's really difficult not to make fun of people so incredibly stupid, gullible, self-inflictedly-ignorant, or greedy -- and obvious about the whole thing.