Opinions wanted on this half dime

[RGT]

I just picked up this half dime on ebay and I would like some opinions on the grade and originality. I know opinions based on a picture are likely to be a good bit off, but give a guess anyway.

 

I'll post some of my comments later so I won't bias anyone on their first impression.

 

 

[toyonakataro]

I guess it's MS63. Just a guess, though.

[gmarguli]

I'd also guess MS63. Lots of minor chatter, but nothing major.

[Oldtrader3]

I'm going to say MS62, based on rub on the cheek, right breast and thigh, plus same on leaves and bow on reverse.

[niel-migration]

by definition in yeoman's book, i have to say it's under ms60. it says for ms60 that there's no trace of wear with light blemishes. you have minor wear. i'll take a stab at ef55. mind you i usually don't guess right.

niel

[Hoot]

I like it. Looks like it has some nice luster and pretty original surfaces, although it may hav retoned from a former dip (quite a long time ago). I'd agree with Charlie and put it at 62.

 

Hoot

[cpm9ball]

I'm not very good at this, but the detail is very similar to a Mexican 1916 1 centavo that I just got back from NGC and they gave it XF40. Is that a small ding on the bottom, left side of the crossbar of the "I" in DIME? I'll guess XF45 in spite of the apparent ding and some wear on the denticles, but don't everyone laugh at me all at once.

 

Nice looking coin!

 

Chris

[bigd5]

I'm thinking lower mint state grade, 62ish. Depends on the luster. I'm seeing muted luster, but that's from the pic's.

 

Nice coin.

[braddick]

I always check to see how well the stars are struck up. Then the originality of the surfaces. Then the rims.

 

I like yours. I like it alot.

[RGT]

Now I'll give my impressions. Understand that I have several seated half dimes but I still have much to learn about these little coins.

 

The luster looks decent. I have a couple of these in ANACS MS62 holders to compare with and the luster on this one is better than either of them.

 

The color is a bit dark but I think it's original. I can't rule out the possibility that it was dipped a long long time ago.

 

There is some chatter in the fields and light scuffs on the high points, but I don't think that would take it out of the MS range. I've seen a leg more scuffed on an NGC MS64 than on this one, but I can't rule out that the NGC coin may have been overgraded.

 

My impression based on my limited experience with this series is that the coin should grade MS62 easily with a good shot at MS63. I won't rule out the chance that on a bad day it would come back AU58. A couple of years ago I sent in an 1838 that I though had a 50-50 chance of coming back AU58 or MS62. NGC called it MS63, so you never know. Some people say they've tightened up since then.

 

You can probably tell from the picture that the coin is slabbed. You can also tell by the quality of the insert that it's not in an NGC or ANACS slab. It's in a gold PCI slab. I have a handfull of old green PCI slabs but this is the first gold label PCI coin I ever took a chance on. It's gradded MS64 but I bid on it at a MS62 level and paid just a few dollars less than my max. I have a seven day return privelege and I wanted a few opinions before I made up my mind. If I keep it I will likely crack it out and send it to NGC.

 

I wanted to show it to the only dealer around here but he's at a show in Atlanta. I should be able to get to the show Tuesday. He used to do some part-time gradding for PCI back in the green holder days and I trust his opinion.

 

Thanks for the comments and opinions. It looks like most agree with my opinion even though you can only work from a picture.

[RGT]

I'm not very good at this, but the detail is very similar to a Mexican 1916 1 centavo that I just got back from NGC and they gave it XF40. Is that a small ding on the bottom, left side of the crossbar of the "I" in DIME? I'll guess XF45 in spite of the apparent ding and some wear on the denticles, but don't everyone laugh at me all at once.

 

Nice looking coin!

 

Chris

 

It's always good to have at least one opinion out past the three sigma range.

 

I can't see a ding on the "I" with a 20x. You must be seeing a reflection or something.

 

I don't think the denticles are the first places wear would show up on these. They may be slightly flat near the bottom right on the reverse due to strike.

 

I don't think everyone will laugh at you at once. We are polite here and take turns.

[Mozin]

Looks like AU58 to me; wear on obverse breasts.

[cpm9ball]

I don't think everyone will laugh at you at once. We are polite here and take turns.

 

N E X T !

 

Chris

[HaydenTubbs]

I don't think everyone will laugh at you at once. We are polite here and take turns.

 

N E X T !

 

Chris

 

 

 

[niel-migration]

my turn. now that that's over, i'll concede at au58. nice coin.

niel

[RGT]

While I was at the dealer picking up my NGC bodybag I showed him this coin for his opinion. He basically agreed with me that it was a strong MS62 with a chance for MS63. I was planning on cracking it out and sending it to NGC, but I think it will be staying where it is now.