My new $5 indian

[darktone]

I just got this one today and I would like to here opinion's from others that are familiar with these coins and don't be afraid to give your honest opinion. thanks mike

[jtryka]

Nice one mike, though I am not a big fan of the design. Looks to be a nice AU, a little wear on the top of the wing. Also looks like there might be some hairlines, but it's hard to tell from the pic.

[darktone]

Thanks Jeff, is a filled mint mark common on these? Also if you look at the periphery there is a ring that goes around the coin part way- what causes this? Thanks mike

[Klectorkid]

Looks great AU-58 most likely. I have seen 2 other $5 indians with filled mint mark but then agian I'm more of a $2.5 kind of guy so i dont look very close at all the $5s.

[jtryka]

Mike, I think because of the incuse strike, filled mintmarks are more common one these than other series. As for the ring, I think that is also due to strike, my guess is that a heavier strike produces it. I have seen several with the ring all the way around. I am not an expert by any means on this series, so perhaps someone else knows for certain.

[darktone]

Thanks Jeff, my guess was the ring was some type of result from there being no raised rim on these coins. I have looked through old auction catalogs and about half of the 1909-D indians have this same ring. Also I believe the mint mark on these coins is the only raised feature on these coins. Klectorkid, thanks AU58 was what I had in mind also. Maybe by the end of the month I will be able to grade these better as I have more on the way to practice on. mike

 

 

 

 

[GoldenState]

I am gonna stick out my neck, and say Ms-61. Remember that Gold is soft, and bag marks easily, with a few dings. Looking at that pic, that may well be a mint state coin......to me, it is a slider, so I would go with low grade mint state.

 

Pretty looking coin, at any rate.

[gmarguli]

It's extremely hard to grade these coins even in person. I *think* I see a discoloration on the flat points, possibly pointing to wear. However, these coins can fool you.

 

I'd probably guess AU58 based only on the photo. However, I will say that I frequently UNDERgrade gold coins when it comes to the grading services. I guess I'm just more critical than they are.

 

Why not send it to NGC to get graded and authenticated? These are commonly faked.

[keithdagen]

Most dealers can't grade these at shows. A lot of people with experience in the series will cherrypick coins advertised as AU which are really MS-62, 63 coins, get them slabbed, and sell them for the difference.

 

I'm going to say AU-58, but a MS-60/61 wouldn't surprise me.

[darktone]

Kieth- I thought that being able to accurately grade these coins was something I should have done a long time ago as I think I have missed some opportunities on buying some MS coins at AU prices. Here's another one I got at NCS right now that had some PVC residue on the reverse. Greg I will be sending the 1909-D to NGC when I get a couple more gold coins so I can take advantage of the gold rush special. Goldenstate- an MS61 would be great! mike