Three cent silver grade

[jesbroken]

If you would, please, offer your opinions as to the grade on this 1852 Three Cent Silver coin. I'm not very astute with this issue of coins(in addition to others, I might add). Thanks for your help.

Jim

 

[Prethen]

XF40

[texasrichard]

I'd probably agree with Prethen on this one. To me it is a good looking coin with lots going for it. The marks in the lower left quadrant are a little distracting but not too much IMO. Overall I like it.

[MTHead-migration]

Using Photoguide:

 

VG obverse (due to weak strike?)

EF reverse

 

What guides did you use?

[texasrichard]

I don't have a "photo-guide" and am relying on just my experience (albeit limited) that I've had in search of a trime myself.

 

To me the Obv looks F-VFish.. maybe I'm wrong but attribute much of this to wear as opposed to strike.

 

The Rev looks XF.

 

Overall the coin looks un-messed (is that even a word?) with; and IMO that would help it at least market-wise.

 

That said, in retrospect I probably shouldn't offer up my grade opinions without more to go on.

 

 

[MTHead-migration]

I only mentioned the weak strike possibility because it's in Photograde.

 

3 Cent silvers are totally outside my area of collecting.

[Prethen]

Yeah, it looks like a weak strike on the obverse. You probably don't want to pay XF money for this coin. However, take a look how strong that rim is as well as the reverse star detail. The coin basically screams XF-wear.

[jesbroken]

According to Walter Breen:

Weak striking is common with this issue and should not be mistaken for wear.

The main reason I bought this coin was the fantastic rims and sharp lettering. I have not seen an early trime(type I) with this sharp, well struck rims. Not to say there aren't any, just that I have not seen them for sale very often in circulated condition. I have one that is almost uncirculated(although unfortunately damaged) and it still does not have the rims this one has. It just grabbed me. I have bought and sold many of these and while usually in the very good to very fine range-none were keepers. I have the AU one in my 7070 so I'll probably admire this one for a while and trade it later. Thanks for your opinions, I appreciate those always.

Jim

[BillJones]

At least EF-40.

 

The flatness in the middle of the shield is due to strike. You see many of these coins in Mint State that show some weakness there. It poses a problem for the grade only when you are thinking about calling it MS-65 or higher.

[MikeInFL]

Weakly struck, low end AU. I'd grade it AU 50, but value it a bit lower.

[Oldtrader3]

I would say, compiling the grades for the two sides, that the coin is XF.

 

Shown is MS64, TIII coin for reference. This is the only 3CS that I still own. Note poor strike on star at 7:00. Most 3CS are poorly struck.

[James_OldeTowne]

I'm in the VF range for this one.

[RGT]

I've said it before, but I will repeat it. These coins are typically struck with strong rims and weak centers or with strong centers and weak rims. This one obviously has strong rims and a weak center. I've seem a few MS coins with little more detail on the shield. These are tough to grade and I don't own any below AU but I'll guess this one should grade XF. However, I would wait for a better strike rather than buy this one.

 

Occasionally you can find one with a good strike all over. Here's one of mine that has as good of a strike as I have seen. Below that is a more typically struck coin that grades NGC MS62.

[BillJones]

I really like your 1851 silver three cent piece. (thumbs u It has great eye appeal.

 

Another problem with this coins is that they were made from an alloy of only 75% silver and 25% copper. As a result they do not tone like the 90-10 % coins do, and the toning is often spotty and unattractive. If you are looking for a type coin, you really have to go through a lot of pieces to find a pretty original example, like your 1851.

[texasrichard]

Boy that '51 is beautiful !

 

Here's the one I ended up with as a part of my 1853 year set... my one and only Trime.

 

[michael]

xf/au with good eye appeal

 

a decent really scarce classic high circ. grade type coin (thumbs u