1888/7 Indian Head Overstrike??

[mxtswinger]

Hi folks- I know that a photo will not serve to positively ID this coin, but would like some opinions. I found it about 2 months ago, but got sidetracked with a lost blockhouse site. I don't know for sure where my nearest coin shop is, but I'll have to check. If they can't ID it who would I go to? I'm attaching a pic of my coin and one of an overstrike from PCGS. Their site and the Red Book have only served to confuse so far. Thanks a bunch for any input. Kevin

 

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[utah hunter]

Yours is not the 88/7 variety. One diagnostic marker is the die break on the rim denticles at the "TE" in united. See it in the pcgs pic? I am not sure what yours is...Ryan

 

[hyperion]

mxtswinger,

Yours does have the rim cud above TE in United ... it's a bit hard to see with the corrosion, but it is there. That's a very pricey discovery if it is genuine. Whatever you do, don't clean it in ANY WAY! I'd recommend sending it to NCS (Numismatic Conservation Service) a subsidiary of NGC. They know how to preserve the piece better than anyone else in the business. It may come back with an "impaired" label due to the period of time spent in the ground, but you'll also get a "genuine" label if indeed it is. Congratulations!

 

[utah hunter]

I stick to my opinion, the denticles would be covered if it were genuine. Corrosion is not equal to a cud. The date is also completely wrong for the overstrike, these are hard to see even on UNC coins. My 2 cents again...Ryan

 

[hyperion]

Nothing wrong with disagreement ... here's your pic with an outline of the cud. Only by examining it with a 10x can you verify if the cud exists on your coin. If it is "coincidental crud", then in the famous words of Emily Lattella ... "never mind".

 

[utah hunter]

Disagreement is good, it lets people see reasoning and what to look for. Inside the "cud" outline you pointed out I still see the denticles, plus the cud would be the wrong shape. If that was a cud, then so is the corrosion under the date, which would negate this as an 88/7 by itself. The hardest thing I learned about coins over the year is trying to see what I want to in a coin, when usually it just isnt there. I don't do it as much, but I admit I still do it occasionally . I have sent more than one coin in for certification to find out I was wrong about what I thought it was. Relatively cheap lesson in the long run. This coin might have a die break over the 8, or else a piece of copper got in the way when it was struck, and became part of the coin, I really don't know. It is hard to tell with the corrosion...Ryan

 

[Jeffro]

There are at least five different errors for this year. This coin appears to be in decent shape under all that crud, it may be worth getting checked out by a conservator if you suspect it may be one.

 

[mxtswinger]

Thanks everyone for the help!

Jeffro- I was just typing a reply to mention that PCGS mentions several die states. You beat me to it.

I guess I'll start with a local coin shop and go from there.

Thanks again
Kevin

 

[Jeffro]

Thanks everyone for the help!

Jeffro- I was just typing a reply to mention that PCGS mentions several die states. You beat me to it.

I guess I'll start with a local coin shop and go from there.

Thanks again
Kevin

There may be several different die states, but there are several different errors as well. Some of them are quite rare. And priced accordingly. When I have a minute I'll give you some things to look for, but right now I'm in a Poker tourney. Back in a bit, OK?

 

[mxtswinger]

Yea man I appreciate it. I just got home from a game myself.

 

[Jeffro]

Well that sucked, I finished on the bubble, LOL! 6th when 5 pays.

OK, back to your coin. Three are not so well valued, but you can look for 'em anyways- Look for a doubling at the base of the ribbon, next to the neck. Or doubling at the lower curls. These are worth $35 to $50 or so in XF condition. Probably not worth the cost of conservation.

Then there's the one we have been discussing, which I think your's shows promise for.

Then there's another in which the seven shows up as a vertical score in the top circle of the last eight. That one's worth 600 or more in VF. Not as much as the best one, but still a darn nice find, if it is. Another thing to look for if the line isn't visible is a "spike" or "thorn" protruding from the base of the neck, about at the bottom of the pearl necklace. Best way I can describe it.

 

[mxtswinger]

Thanks Jeffro. I'm working on trying to get a better pic/description. I've beenlooking at it with a loupe, and it's pretty strange. More later.

 

[mxtswinger]

Here's some better pics. Looks more like something over 8 than 8 over 7. Shucks!

Maybe I have the one and only?

 

[Jeffro]

May be something as simpe as a broken die, which would also be common.

No matter what, it's interesting. I'd look around for someone who does conservation work fairly inexpensively and try and get some of the crud off, then go from there.

I see nothing that is EXACTLY like your coin, and I'm definately no expert by the way. Let us know how this one turns out, OK?

 

[mxtswinger]

Will do and thanks.