An Unlikely Purchase
My latest NEWP is an XF-45 1860-O Seated Liberty Dollar to upgrade a VF-35 1842 dollar from my collection. What makes this purchase unlikely is that I was not looking to add a new Seated Liberty Dollar to my collection nor was I looking to upgrade the one that I currently own. However, while I was browsing a dealers listing looking for other coins, this coin kind of swept me away.
What struck me about this coin was it's clean original surfaces, the boldness of it's devices, and light even wear which seems more consistent with an AU-50 grade than an XF-45 grade. Additionally, you wouldn't think there was much difference between VF-35 and XF-45, but these two coins clearly show otherwise.
There is one problem with my new coin though and its a small gouge on the reverse, do any of you have an idea as to what would have caused it? I am posting a picture of the new coin, a blow-up of the gouge, and a picture of the old coin in which you can clearly see how much better the new coin is. Over time, I have looked through a lot of Seated Liberty Dollars and I can tell you that there really aren't that many nice circulated examples out there. Since I don't need two "No Motto" Seated Liberty Dollars for my 7070 type set, I'll probably be selling the old coin later this fall.
Did you know that casually perusing coin listings can be hazardous to your wallet? Oh well, at least the old coin will subsidize the new one and I'll be left with a better coin for my type set. Gary
Comments
Mike
Level 7
I have to agree. It does look like a strike from the reverse. They are very nice. Good for you.
ShriekenGriffon
Level 5
well, idk, but it is cool anyway
user_7180
Level 5
Nice coin. The damage does appear more like a strike-through error.
user_6683
Level 4
Great looking coin and good purchase!
user_4542
Level 4
Cool! I have always wanted one!
Numinerd9
Level 5
Both those dollars are gorgeous and congrats on that newp! It looks like a strike-thru on the reverse, not a real gouge or damage. My guess is from sawdust; a remaining piece after a polishing of dies at that time must have gotten stuck to the reverse die and got impressed into the next planchet, your coin. I've seen this on Morgans and Peace dollars too, sometimes with a small fragment or even pieces of wood bits. Luckily, it's buried a bit in the devices of the reverse, so it didn't detract from the overall grade. I mean, on a Morgan or Peace you would want an "error" like that to be more prominent. There's nothing wrong with that newp - have I mentioned yet how gorgeous both those dollars are yet? Nicely done!