1796 Quarter in Heritage Sale - odd images

[Higashiyama]

I would be curious to hear comments on the 1796 quarter in the upcoming Heritage sale.

 

The two images of the coin are quite dramatically different, in particular, the way they pick up the adjustment marks.

 

On the first image, the adjustment marks (which are numerous and across Miss Liberty's face) seem to strongly detract from the coin. On the second image, they appear quite light. They are not mentioned in the description, which is a bit surprising.

 

In any case, both images can't be accurate! (In both images, the coin looks rather dipped, but in the image with minimal marks it is unattractively pale, IMHO)

 

1796 quarter

[Wihlborg]

Higashiyama,

 

I believe both images are of the same coin, but the first is an actual photo while the second is a scan. A scan usually does not capture the luster and color as well as a digital photo can. A scan can also make the adjustment marks appear lighter due to the way the scanner lights the coin and focuses to take the image.

 

John

 

 

[TomB]

I would agree that the first obverse shown is from a carefully positioned lighting source using film or a digital camera while the second image is from a flatbed scanner. It is surprising that they write that there are no individual abrasions worthy of mention when, in reality, the cluster of marks across the face on the obverse can easily be thought of as one constellation of adjustment marks or scratches. At the price that this coin will fetch, I would rather use the money on something else.

[MikeKing]

They are indeed both the same coin and I agree about your comment on the lighting. Especially in silver, which is so reflective, a cut into the metal at a given angle, may not show up AT ALL on a photograph, depending on the angle of the light source and lens of the camera relative to the coin.

 

With this coin, it looks as if someone went mad and attacked it with a sharp knife, slashing into Lady Liberty's image.

 

It is TOTALLY AMAZING that the description refers to these multiple, large, slices through the face of Ms. Liberty, as 'a few small abrasions'. Fortunately, there are two photographs, one using a light source that lets you see how damaged this coin really is.

 

So I ask......

[keithdagen]

This is another coin I looked at on Thursday. The coin has the appearance of a DMPL Morgan, looking extremely unnatural (my opinion) in person. Some of the "adjustment" marks also appear to be residuals of a cleaning in the past.

[coinman1794]

The two pictures were taken with different instoments, at different angles, and with different resolutions. Naturally, the two pictures will thus show different details on the coin.

[Count_Erfit]

There must have been a law in the 1790 - 1815 period that stated that no one should circulate any coins with adjustment marks. So many NICE coins are all filed up and the pristine ones all circulated.

 

It's a nice coin, but I gotta admit. "Adjustment" marks DO affect the grade of a coin to....me.

 

 

[MikeKing]

What is meant by adjustment marks?

[Beijim]

It used to be that, in order to get an overweight coin to its requisite weight, they'd take a file to it to shave off a few grains here and there. The adjustment in question is to the coin's weight. The resulting gouges from the file's teeth are the marks.

 

This occurred, of course, when coins used to have intrinsic value and at a time when minting technology wasn't extraordinarily precise.

 

Beijim

[coinman1794]

One should also note that this was done to the blanks before striking. That's how you know they are adjustment marks, because they were done before striking. Otherwise, they would be damage.

[Beijim]

An excellent point - thanks for clarifying!

 

Beijim

 

[MikeKing]

Would this be so characteristic of a coin like this that Heritage did not feel it was of any importance?

[BankNote1]

That is just the way that Heritage photos look. I don't know why they can't improve on their photography?

As far as ajustment marks go, the more worn the coin, the less noticeable the marks are. These marks are just an integral part of the coin. They shouldn't affect the grade of the coin at all, IMO. I am also sure that this coin has been cleaned a time or two and dipped, that i just the way these things come.

[Higashiyama]

Many coins had minimal or no adjustment marks. As often as not, they were at the edge of the coin, rather than marring the central devises. So, I really think it warrants a more prominent mention in the Heritage description!