1890 Indian Head image for grading

[tab1962]

Hello Folks,

I've upload a photo of an 1890 Indian Head Cent for your thoughts- is this an MS-63 or 64 plus is the color red, red/brown?

The seller is asking $225 for this coin.

Thanks

Tom

[2centsal]

Hey Tom, I would rather see you find a Coin that's already graded before "forking over " that kind of Cash . In my Coin World Magazine it lists an 1890 MS63RB at $80 , MS64 RB at $250 , MS64R at $ 600 and MS65RB at only $500 ( strange, huh ?) . Since there is such a jump from a MS63 RB to just a MS64 RB, I would pass on this one. The Values are based on Coins that are already Graded, Fair Market Value which consists of what other Coins in these grades have sold for in the past
The Key here is that it's a " Raw " Coin and with out being graded, your taking a big risk . This is just my opinion but I feel is a good one . Even if it was a MS64RB , there would be no room to say you got a Deal because you still have to spend the Money to have it Graded and what if it comes back a MS63RB ? Even if it does grade a MS64 , what if it doesn't have RB attached to the grade ? Then you just lost out . Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $100 . My motto is " buy cheap and you can't go wrong ".
I hope this helps. Also, there are more IH's out there, just be patient and shop around . Heritage Auctions is a good site to compare it to and all of them I've seen are Graded . You just have to register to see the prices paid, no big deal, well worth it .

[Daniel]

I wouldn't buy a raw Indian Head for book value or in the hope it attains a grade unless I could examine the coin in-hand and with my magnifier.

[tab1962]

Thank you all for the great tips. I will follow your suggestions...

Tom

[tab1962]

Just found out that I have been taken to the cleaners on this 1890 penny. A professional coin dealer, near my house, looked over the coin over and feels it has been 'chemically' cleaned to enhance it. Also some of the other coins that I was told to be MS-63/64 will not even be graded at MS condition, by PCGS, due to be scratch marks from a cleaning rag. The local dealer told me to always buy a PCGS graded coin on MS-60 or higher. He told me that I will not pay too much extra, if even any, for the PCGS graded coin over a raw coin. Big and expensive lesson learned by me...

[PetesPockets55]

Just found out that I have been taken to the cleaners on this 1890 penny. A professional coin dealer, near my house, looked over the coin over and feels it has been 'chemically' cleaned to enhance it. Also some of the other coins that I was told to be MS-63/64 will not even be graded at MS condition, by PCGS, due to be scratch marks from a cleaning rag. The local dealer told me to always buy a PCGS graded coin on MS-60 or higher. He told me that I will not pay too much extra, if even any, for the PCGS graded coin over a raw coin. Big and expensive lesson learned by me...

Ouch.

[Paul]

Just found out that I have been taken to the cleaners on this 1890 penny. A professional coin dealer, near my house, looked over the coin over and feels it has been 'chemically' cleaned to enhance it. Also some of the other coins that I was told to be MS-63/64 will not even be graded at MS condition, by PCGS, due to be scratch marks from a cleaning rag. The local dealer told me to always buy a PCGS graded coin on MS-60 or higher. He told me that I will not pay too much extra, if even any, for the PCGS graded coin over a raw coin. Big and expensive lesson learned by me...

may i ask if you purchased this coin "without" a return policy??

[Paul]

this post:

TREATED COIN POST

[tab1962]

Yes, I got this via the mail with no return policy! I got taken to the cleaners!

[Paul]

Yes, I got this via the mail with no return policy! I got taken to the cleaners!

mmmmmm......sorry to hear that, lesson learned? i do not even buy "slabbed & graded" coins without a 'return ploicy'. for returns, the most i'm out is less than $10..... on shipping fees, so on. you'll get the hang of it...keep in mind, this is why most of these are sold "on-line" with only a picture, & no real 'description'....as 95% of john q. public dosen't know anyway. "reading" internet images is a true art form that takes practice.