PCGS Submission: 1st quarter 2011

 

I sent PCGS my first order of the year on 1/31/2011. I included three separate submissions in a single parcel (saves on shipping/insurance). It was a mixed bag, including two additions and one upgrade for my Complete Buffalo Nickel Variety set  and three additions to my varieties only Complete Walking Liberty Half Dollar Variety set, plus a few more buffalo nickels. Below are my comments on the coins before submission and the results.

Submission I. For attribution only: In PCGS database 2/2/2011. Results posted 2/8/2011. Shipped 2/24/2011.

Submission II. Raw coins for grading and attribution: In PCGS database 2/2/2011. Results posted 2/21/2011. Shipped 2/21/2011.

Submission III. Collectors Club Special for grading and attribution: In PCGS database 2/4/2011. Results posted 3/9/2011. Shipped 3/9/2011.

Buffalo Nickel Varieties

5C 1913 T1. 3HL? VG? This coin has all the clash and die markers on the obverse and reverse, although they are worn a bit. The leg also seems a bit stronger than I would like (although it does depend on the angle of observation). Purchased unattributed and raw on Ebay. Now……….

5C 1913 T1 3HL, VG08. Pop 1/5. An addition to my set!

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5C 1913-D PCGS MS64 T-1. 2 Feather? Earlier I submitted this coin raw and it came back MS64, but not attributed 2F. IMHO, they were wrong. As for grades, attribution is something of a judgment call with some judgments easier than others. The 1913-D T1 2F is not an easy call. However, based on the images, this coin has less feather than one that sold on Heritage recently. So…. back it goes. Initially purchased raw and unattributed on Ebay. Now……….

5C 1913-D PCGS MS64 T-1 FS-401 2 Feathers. Pop 4/0. Pop top! For more information on the 1913-D 2F, please read my blog here.

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5C 1918. 2 Feather? VF+? Nice clean coin. Could be one of my set’s most common grades, VF35. Purchased unattributed and raw on Ebay. Now……….

5C 1918 PCGS VF25 2 Feathers FS-401. Pop 2/2. Could have gone higher, I think. An upgrade to my set.

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5C 1918. Double Die Reverse? VG? This one is nicer than one I thought was VG- but that PCGS graded AG3. It is the dual die clash with die crack version. Purchased unattributed and raw on Ebay. Now……….

5C 1918 PCGS G06 Double Die Reverse FS-801. Pop 1/3. Closer to my estimate than the last. A duplicate. For more information in a rather rambling commentary, please see 1918 DDR: The Question.

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5C 1929. DDO? MS64-? Finally. Once you seen one it is an obvious variety. However, the doubling is all in the shadows and reflections for most images. Broken out of an NGC MS64 holder but has a few too many marks under a 10x glass. Fortunately, reportedly they use a 5X glass:) Purchased unattributed from a Bowers & Merena auction. Now……….

5C 1929 PCGS MS64+ DDO FS-101. Pop 1/1. An addition to my set! For more information visit 1929 Double Die Obverse.

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5C 1936-D. RPM-2? MS65? Yes, another one. I thought it was time to send one in raw to see how it grades. Purchased unattributed and raw on Ebay. Now……….

5C 1936-D PCGS MS65 RPM FS-502. Pop 14/9.

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With the above additions I have all the “Lesser Known” varieties that PCGS attributes except for two: the 1915-S/S FS-502 and 1920-D/D FS-501, both of which have a PCGS population of 0! Guess it’s time to find those two (and a 1916 DDO which I also need)

Walking Liberty Half Dollar Varieties

50C 1941-S. RPM? MS64? A nice strike for the date with full skirt lines. And a difficult variety (total PCGS pop 4). Broken out of an NGC64 holder. It had a light dirty brown toning which I did not care for and removed before submitting it. Purchased unattributed on Ebay. Now……….

50C 1941-S PCGS AU58 RPM FS-501. Pop 1/2. I’m disappointed in the grade and can not find any rub. There are a fair number of very minor nicks. But still an addition to my set!

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50C 1944-D PCGS MS65. Hand Engraved Initials? This is a very interesting coin. Apparently, the mint abraded off the designer’s initials (AW), probably because of a die clash. They then realized they shouldn’t have, and tried to put them back on. That must have been quite a challenge – very small letters on a very small, hard steel die, likely without proper engraving tools or work environment. Besides, how do you get raised metal on the die so that the initials are recessed? Not a particularly difficult variety to find but nice looking and with a good story. Purchased unattributed and PCGS graded on Ebay. Now………. 

50C 1944-D PCGS MS65. Hand Engraved Initials FS-901. Pop 30/20. An addition to my set!

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50C 1945. Missing Designer’s Initials? MS65-? Similar to the No F buffalo nickel, the designer’s initials, AW, have been abraded away. This coin does have a trace of the initials, but not much and the trace doesn’t resemble AW. A very difficult variety with a total PCGS pop of 3, the best being  MS62. Until now   Broken out of an NGC MS65 holder. Purchased unattributed on Teletrade. Now……….

50C 1945 PCGS MS64 Missing Designer’s Initials FS-901. Pop:1/0. New Pop Top! An addition to my set!