1795 Flowing Hair Dollar "is this tiny problem fixable"

[TONY-migration]

I recently purchased a nice original 1795 Flowing Hair S$1 that would probably grade Choice Fine (Fine 15) by most major services if not for one tiny problem. In the top of letter B, in LIBERTY, someone lightly started to drill a hole and stopped essentially in the little top circle in the letter. This coin can be viewed on Ebay, item nr 3935426959. (1) Can this item be fully "deceptively filled/repaired"? (2) Can this coin be repaired and still be graded by a major grading service as original? I am aware there is a certain amount of leeway on these real early pieces. Can someone advise me the basics "who, what, where, how much etc." I did an extensive Goggle search trying to find someone who does Numismatic/coin repair and didn't get a single hit on anything useful. I thought that was rather odd!thanks//Tony

[kryptonitecomics]

#1 I think the coin can be repaired, but I believe only ANACS or PCI would actually slabbed the coin.

 

#2 It's a nice looking coin and I don't think I would mess with it myself, but I am surprised that the seller made no mention of the partial hole. Yes, it can be clearly seen in the scan, but if you are going to provide a description as he did.............probably the must improtant thing to point out is that the coin has some damage since less experienced collectors could overlook the damage.

 

#3 He did go back in after the initial listing and mentioned a small mark in the "B", which I don't feel is accurate since it's not a mark on the coins surface, but a partial hole..........how do others feel about that accuracy of that description???

[James_OldeTowne]

Hi Tony. I am sure this could be repaired. Allen Stockton comes to mind first, but there are a couple of other specialists who repair coins. I fully support the repair of coins when and where appropriate.

 

That being said, I'm not sure the "problem" really warrants repair. I don't find it all that distracting.The downside is that there's always a risk of disturbing original surfaces, and this looks like a decently original coin to me. I have also seen coins with problems worse than this get certified. The best example I can think of is an 1839-O half dollar with virtually UNC details, but a drill mark significantly larger than the one on this dollar, on a coin in a PCGS AU-50 slab (obviously net-graded). So if certification is a concern, I think you should give it a couple of shots first, and then if the coin is rejected, consider having it repaired.

 

In either case, good luck to you. I think that's a really strong coin for the price - definitely a bargain!

 

James

[TomB]

At first glance it appears to be a nice coin, however, if the mark is already bothering you then I suggest you return the piece immediately for a refund as it will likely only bother you more in the future. At more than $2,000 this is a coin that you better like or you will be sorry for the purchase.

 

The partial drilling in the B is rather prominent in the images and I would think that NGC or PCGS would pick it up immediately. Will it slab by NGC or PCGS? Perhaps. Will you have to submit it 25 times and spend $750 in submission fees to get it in a PCGS or NGC holder? Perhaps.

 

A repair can be attmepted but please note that any repair would have to address the raised metal around the hole in the B and this would entail applying a false patina on the coin in this area. Overall, I think the chances of additional damage are fairly high unless you want the coin to have a completely new, and artificial, patina applied in order to hide the work. How much does this cost? I don't know.

 

So, my opinion is that the coin is something that I would not sink money into as a fairly original piece, in a slightly lower or equal grade, is likely not out of your reach. Please let us know what you decide.

[gmarguli]

Return it ASAP. At that price for a damaged coin, you better love it 100% or it will continue to eat at you.

[TONY-migration]

Thanks for the advice/PS I imagine the highest bidders noticed the spot, but should have been mentioned for accuracy/Tony//

[James_OldeTowne]

Tony, it looks like he did mention the spot in the eBay listing.

 

My guess is that it would cost at most $50 to repair the damage.

 

If you decide you don't want the coin, and can't return it, please contact me.

 

James

[TONY-migration]

I'm planning on kepping it, just looking into repair options for astetic reasons//thx//Tony

[EZ_E]

Tony,

 

There is merit in everone's comments but I think that you made a wise choice if you can have the half professionally repaired. It is a very nice, original coin except for the obvious. The damage would constantly bug me if it were mine until it was repaired but, once repaired, then I think that it would be an awesome piece! Best of luck and keep us updated.

[michael]

ttt

[cutsup]

The description was deceptive. You have to assume the seller was sophisticated enough to know the difference. Scans do not cut it as a save-all for lousy descriptions because we all know they have limitations and can be manipulated by simply changing the light or the angle, etc.

[AlixTCat]

I recently purchased a nice original 1795 Flowing Hair S$1 that would probably grade Choice Fine (Fine 15) by most major services if not for one tiny problem. In the top of letter B, in LIBERTY, someone lightly started to drill a hole and stopped essentially in the little top circle in the letter. This coin can be viewed on Ebay, item nr 3935426959. (1) Can this item be fully "deceptively filled/repaired"? (2) Can this coin be repaired and still be graded by a major grading service as original? I am aware there is a certain amount of leeway on these real early pieces. Can someone advise me the basics "who, what, where, how much etc." I did an extensive Goggle search trying to find someone who does Numismatic/coin repair and didn't get a single hit on anything useful. I thought that was rather odd!thanks//Tony

 

0 items found for

3935426959

[AlixTCat]

The description was deceptive. You have to assume the seller was sophisticated enough to know the difference. Scans do not cut it as a save-all for lousy descriptions because we all know they have limitations and can be manipulated by simply changing the light or the angle, etc.

 

How does one change the light or the angle of a scan? The coin sits flat on the scanner. The light comes across it as it is scanned. There is no room for changing the light or the angle.

 

I wish that I could see the images. The item number listed is no longer valid.

 

Jonathan

[James_OldeTowne]

Jonathan, to change the angle of lighting on a scanner, you must rotate the coin. So if you place it on the scanner at what we might call "zero degrees", then the light would be coming from the bottom of the coin. Rotating the coin byt 180 degrees on the bed of the scanner causes the light to come from the top.

 

Note that the light does not hit the coin from a direct 90 degrees; it is angled such that the band of light on what is being scanned tracks ahead of the digital "eyeball".

 

James