Guess the grade. Proof 1879 seated 1/2 (caution large & not very good images)

[FILTHYHOARD]

Happy Holidays all. A recent pickup for my odds & ends coin box. I think it looks better than the assigned grade, but much like a mother who tells their unattractive son that he is the most handsome boy in the 5th grade (yeah that unattractive boy was me ) Well, anyway, care to take a guess? The fields on the obverse look much worse in these pictures than they look in hand. Must be the lighting.

 

 

 

[physics-fan3.14]

I would grade it "Proof Details, Harshly Cleaned." That poor thing has had a brillo pad taken to it, to the extent that you can't just forgive some hairlines.

 

The reverse appears to have escaped that fate, and appears quite attractive.

[James_OldeTowne]

I would guess PF-62. I think the grading scale for proofs is horribly skewed by the grading services, in that they won't use "PF-55" as a proper net grade for coins like this, but so be it.

[Coindude]

I think it's a proof 62 deep cameo. I'm betting that the lighting highlights the faults in the fields. I'd love to own this one!

[FILTHYHOARD]

I'm betting that the lighting highlights the faults in the fields.

 

BIG time

[FILTHYHOARD]

I would grade it "Proof Details, Harshly Cleaned." That poor thing has had a brillo pad taken to it, to the extent that you can't just forgive some hairlines.

 

The reverse appears to have escaped that fate, and appears quite attractive.

 

To be perfectly honest, if you had the coin in hand under normal lighting conditions, you'd really have to swirl it around in your hand to even catch a glimpse of the hairlines. This photo is (unfortunately) VERY deceptive.

[Mark T]

PF 61 Cameo

[coinman_23885]

Given that the grading services are fairly tolerant of hairlines on these issues,. I'd concur with PF 61 Cameo, maybe PF62, depending on the coin in hand. It's a beautiful piece for sure. It is my understanding that the cameo contrasts on these issues are prevalent enough that the services are exceptionally conservative with the cameo designations, hence the reason I didn't guess deep cameo.

[michael]

proof 61

[FILTHYHOARD]

Well, it seems enough of you have guessed correctly. So, time to reveal the grade.

Well done people. You guys rock!!!

[Walkerfan]

That coin is really crisp with a caneo appearance but those are some HARSH scratches. Would've 65ed otherwise!! Still a nice coin!!!!!!

[coinman_23885]

That coin is really crisp with a caneo appearance but those are some HARSH scratches. Would've 65ed otherwise!! Still a nice coin!!!!!!

 

It's my understanding that it is pretty difficult to find high grade/ hairline free specimens of a lot of proof coinage from this era.

[Coindude]

Yes, it truly is. For some reason, back in the day, it was acceptable to wipe your coins to keep them clean. Hence all the proofs with hairlines that otherwise would have made for some incredible coins!!

[Walkerfan]

That coin is really crisp with a caneo appearance but those are some HARSH scratches. Would've 65ed otherwise!! Still a nice coin!!!!!!

 

It's my understanding that it is pretty difficult to find high grade/ hairline free specimens of a lot of proof coinage from this era.

 

I honestly didn't know that; once again I've learned something else. I am not a proof collector (don't even have any Walker proofs) but I do like them alot. That light really DOES seem to accentuated the scratches, b/c in the other pic (the one with the slab) you don't even see them! I think it's a great coin!!

[busthalf]

I'm confused. From that fist photo I would have guessed cleaned.