GRADE REVEALED! 1893 Liberty nickel

[James_OldeTowne]

Click for the jumbo image. This one may be a bit tricky - hope the images do the coin justice! Fantastic luster is not a grade-limiting factor, and this coin has nice, original toning. I like this one a lot.

 

 

James

[Prethen]

MS64 (scratch in left obverse field).

[coin1960-migration]

vg i'll give ya a couple bucks for it to take it off your hands. actually i was gonna say 63

[XpipedreamR]

It looks to have nice luster and strike, and an attractive patina. I'll say that it's NOT a scratch on the coin, but a little scratch on the die. I can never tell MS from proof on these, so I'll just say it's 65/66. It's in an ACG holder, of course

[whoopig01]

probably a ms63 in a ngc holder.

[nwcs]

64.5 in ngc

[chinook]

63 Anacs

 

[BankNote1]

MS64...

[Hoot]

Very pretty and fairly nicely struck. The scratch in front of Lib could take it as low as 63, but I'd guess MS64.

 

Holder? Beats me. Old NGC black foam.

 

Hoot

[Weather11-migration]

NGC MS 63 Star

[James_OldeTowne]

I found this coin to be extremely educational regarding how to "net-grade" coins without stating so.

 

The NGC grade is: MS-63.

 

As some noted, there is a thin, quarter-inch scratch on the obverse in front of Liberty's profile which degrades the eye-appeal and value of this coin. Subtract just that one scratch, and I have no doubt it would have graded MS-65++.

 

For someone of my limited financial numismatic means, I can overlook the inherent flaws of this coin, and enjoy it for the fine qualities it does exhibit.

 

THANKS for all the great guesses!

 

James

[LucyBop]

I can overlook the inherent flaws of this coin, and enjoy it for the fine qualities it does exhibit.

 

 

excellent quote!

[Elcontador]

James, I've seen a number of scarce dated MS Liberty Nickels in 6 holders. Every one of them IMO was overgraded. It seems that the powers that be cut some slack to these coins. OTOH, type Liberty Nickels in MS 6 holders that I have seen IMO all looked much better for the grade (fewer contact marks, better strike, etc) than their more expensive cousins.

 

I think your coin is attractive, and properly graded. Better to have your coin, than to pay $8K for one in a 6 holder with too many contact marks for the grade.