three qualifiers make this a monster unusual coin

[michael]

usually...... these colored seated coins are proofs

usually.......NOT seen in gem mintstate let alone superb gem mintstate with color!

usually....... of more recent manufacture very late 1800's to 1900's

 

 

 

not so with this coin in this attachment

 

 

pre civil war

greatly colored

superb gem mintstate

strongly cameoed due to die polishing

 

 

michael ngc ms68* star

 

also this coin has an extremely thick crusty crunchy skin as this coin has never been dipped

and this coin is not a dipped and then retoned in an album secondary toned coin

 

[Trime-migration]

Michael,

This coin is fantastic. When you say a coin is OK but not as good as my example, this is what you mean.

[TomB]

That's a nice coin!

 

I agree, the color scheme is unusual given that it is an MS and not a PF coin. The translucent pastels are infrequently seen, it is usually something more in the crisp, burnt blues and golds that is seen on the MS coinage, when one is able to find something truly attractive. Typically, these coins are either previously dipped-out, are retoned in an unappealing off-yellow or are just spotty.

 

It's obvious that there is a thick skin on that coin, and the subtle rings of color look as though they would be very distinct when tilted. The cameod appearance and strong die polishing would indicate an early strike and, likely, a better strike than a later die state coin. The silkiness of the surfaces are wonderful and the slight micro-spots do nothing to take away from the eye appeal. Also, the fabulously preserved surfaces show essentially no marks. This is the perfect type coin.

 

Attached is another from the same era, without die polish or cameo effect. The attachment does show, however, a more typical coloration for MS pieces. Please note that "more typical" does not equate to "common" in this series, the coin is an NGC MS66*. Enjoy.

[GP_]

very nice!

[michael]

tom you are nothing short of a genius when it comes to evaulating coins

 

and this one you just have the scan and you have never seen it in person wow wow

 

but you are exactly 100% right on in your accessment!

 

michael

 

 

[michael]

tom that 1858 halfdime is a really thickly skinned superb toned coin wow wild!

 

and strongly impressed also

 

an extremely uncommon coin with that "look" and eye appeal

 

 

michael

[Trime-migration]

Tom,

The HD you showed is a great coin, but with all due apologies a different level than the toally original never touched Michael coin. You guys have great taste and fantastic coins.

Happy New Year!

[TomB]

No apologies necessary, Trime! I wasn't trying to infer that Michael's HD and my HD were of the same class, I just wanted to show a more typical coloration for a nice coin.

 

Michael, thanks for the kind words!

[spy88]

[spy88]

 

Now we can all see the comparison.