Popular Post Sandon Posted February 11, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2023 Pictured below is one of my best coins, a 1796 Large Date, Small letters Draped Bust silver dollar (B-5, BB-65). I purchased this coin uncertified at a major dealer's auction back in the 1990s and submitted it to NGC for grading last year. It received a numerical grade. Please render your own opinion of the coin's grade and, if you want, the dealer's 1990s grade and NGC's 2022 grade. I realize that many of you may have no experience with this early type of coin, so it's perfectly acceptable to consult your favorite grading guide. Just don't peak at my registry sets! I'll reveal the actual grade(s) on the evening of February 14th. GoldFinger1969, Hoghead515 and rrantique 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIII Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 First, what a beautiful coin! Fine, F-15 would be my say. Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIII Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 Maybe graded VF when you purchased in the 90's Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
World Colonial Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 I'm guessing it grades a low VF now but F when you bought it. Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod D. Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 Amazing coin! My best guess for 2022 NGC: VF25. Can’t even guess the grade in the 1990s…little before my coin collecting days. Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWL Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 VF20 Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebo Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 I think that they are a bit more liberal in grading on the early stuff. Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoghead515 Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 (edited) Im gonna guess very fine 30. Very nice coin. Edited February 11, 2023 by Hoghead515 Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWB Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 Fine. Sandon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coinbuf Posted February 11, 2023 Share Posted February 11, 2023 My guess is VF details holed and plugged. Sandon and rrantique 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sandon Posted February 15, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2023 AND NOW, THE "ANSWER(S)"! I describe this coin in my registry sets as follows: This is one of my best coins. I purchased it uncertified from a June 1996 Bowers and Merena auction ("Herbert D. Spencer Collection", lot 1008), where it was graded "F-15". NGC certified it in November 2022 as VF 25, which may be somewhat optimistic. It is, however, a nice, original specimen of a scarce type whose price has quintupled since the time I purchased it. I took the photos before submitting the coin for certification. In addition to being the only variety of 1796 silver dollar with a large date, this variety is notable for the small reverse "internal cud" that impinges upon "I" of "AMERICA". All known specimens feature some stage of this cud, indicating that this area of the die was defective and sank almost immediately when the die was put into use. There are later die states where more of the "I" and some of the "C" are swallowed by the cud. Thanks to all who participated and for the compliments. @World Colonial most accurately "called" the 2022 NGC and 1996 B&M adjectival grades. @Rod D. "called" the 2022 NGC grade exactly, while @AdamWL and @Hoghead515 were close, though on opposite sides of it. I agree with @Tigerbait as I agreed with B&M in 1996, that the coin should be graded F 15 or Choice Fine. The grade of Fine given by @RWB is also reasonable. Unfortunately, the grading standards for these coins as interpreted by the grading services have, as @Zebo stated, become at least "a bit" more liberal in recent years! (The difference isn't merely academic. It results in a difference in retail valuation of approximately $1,000!) I assume that @Coinbuf and @rrantique misinterpreted the reverse internal cud as a rather crude plug. I stated in the initial post that the coin "received a numerical grade" in part to avoid this understandable error. They receive "honorable mention" nevertheless! RWB, Hoghead515, CIII and 4 others 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CIII Posted February 15, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2023 That was very informative! Thank you for posting the results and your explanations. What an interesting piece of art and history. Rod D., Sandon and Hoghead515 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...