✅ SOLVED Solved 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

[cdsieg]

Dug my first silver coin today (90% silver anyhow)! I was doing some research online, trying to figure out what the rating would be, to me it looks like it would be very fine, but I am not sure. Also found some terms that confuse me, like one said their 1853 quarter was "AU" "super AU"
"VF 35" and etc. When I look at worth on these they range from $15.00 to $1,500? That is quite a spread

Just would be interested in any info you could share. Thanks, Cindy

Thank you all for your responses!

I cleaned it a little better, but there is still dirt in the finer areas of the coin, I am not going to mess with it anymore! I took photos with my Pentax that has a microscope option and replaced the photos I had on here yesterday, if you can offer me anymore thoughts with these new photos, I would be most thankful.

 

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[Mackaydon]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy,'
If you can find the July 2007 issue of Coin Values, commencing on page 49 are 15 detailed pics noting 15 different grade pics for this coin. I think you'll be quick to eliminate the bottom and top four grades.
Don.....

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy, the book I use for grading the US coins I dig is titled "A Guide Book of United States Coins" ...although it is commonly known as "the Red Book." An updated version of it is issued once a year, every year. Most coin-collector shops sell it, for about $14.95.

It contains "moderately detailed" descriptions for grading each type of coin, in all of past denominations (like 3-cent and half-dime coins) and all the current denominations. For your "Seated Liberty" type of US quarter-dollar, that book says:
G-4 GOOD - Scant rim, "Liberty" on shield worn off, date and letters legible.
VG-8 VERY GOOD - At least three letters in "Liberty" [on shield] are visible.
F-12 FINE - "Liberty" [on shield] is completely visible, but weak.
VF-20 VERY FINE - "Liberty" [on shield] strong.
EF-40 EXTREMELY FINE - "Liberty" [on shield] and edges of scroll are complete. Clasp clear.
AU-50 ABOUT UNCIRCULATED - Slight wear on the Lady Liberty's knees and breast and on eagle's neck, wing-tips, and claws.
MS-60 UNCIRCULATED - No trace of wear. Light blemishes. [Meaning, minor nicks/scratches.]
MS-63 - CHOICE UNCIRCULATED - Some distracting contact-marks [made by other coins], or blemishes in prime focal areas.

Unfortunately, it's pretty much impossible to accurately grade a coin in photographs, so I cannot do that for you. For example, I seem to see some strange "roughness" on Lady Liberty's head and her thighs, and on the shield ...but I could be sure about that only in real-life viewing. Because of the maybe-roughness, I can only say your coin grades somewhere from EF-40 to MS-60.

 

[l.cutler]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Details from wear are probably in the EF range, but there is corrosion and marks from cleaning that would keep it from actually grading in that range. Nicely detailed coin.

 

[aka da Prof]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

! wow! great first in the silver range! might want to put in a 'coin window' to keep it nice-

 

[kuger]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Nice Quarter,I have to tell ya out of the Seated coins,excluding Seated Dollars the quarters are least dug by me,good job!!

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy, the book I use for "grading" the US coins I dig is titled "A GGuide Book of United States Coins" ...although it is commonly known as "the Red Book." An updated version of it is issued once a year, every year. Most coin-collector shops sell it, for about $14.95.

It contins "moderately detailed" descriptions for grading each type of coin, in all of past (like 3-cent and half-dime coins) and all the current denominations. For your "Seated Liberty" type of US quarter-dollar, that book says:
G-4 GOOD - Scant rim, "Liberty" on shield worn off, date and letters legible.
VG-8 VERY GOOD - At least three letters in "Liberty" [on shield] are visible.
F-12 FINE - "Liberty" [on shield] is completely visible, but weak.
VF-20 VERY FINE - "Liberty" [on shield] strong.
EF-40 EXTREMELY FINE - "Liberty" [on shield] and edges of scroll are complete. Clasp clear.
AU-50 ABOUT UNCIRCULATED - Slight wear on the Lady Liberty's knees and breast and on eagle's neck, wing-tips, and claws.
MS-60 UNCIRCULATED - No trace of wear. Light blemishes. (Meaning, minor nicks/scratches.)
MS-63 - CHOICE UNCIRCULATED - Some distracting contact-marks (made by other coins), or blemishes in prime focal areas.

Unfortunately, it's pretty much impossible to accurately grade a coin in photographs, so I cannot do that for you. For example, I seem to see some strange "roughness" on Lady Liberty's head and her thighs, and on the shield ...but I could be sure about that only in real-life viewing. Because of the maybe-roughness, I can only say your coin grades somewhere from EF-40 and MS-60.

CannonballGuy, thank you for such awesome information! I tried to find the magazine article that the first responder to this topic, but I could not find one on line. So I really appreciated your detailed information. I took photos with my Pentax that has a microscope option and replaced the photos I had on here yesterday, if you can offer me anymore thoughts with these new photos, I would be most thankful.

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy,'
If you can find the July 2007 issue of Coin Values, commencing on page 49 are 15 detailed pics noting 15 different grade pics for this coin. I think you'll be quick to eliminate the bottom and top four grades.
Don.....

Hi Don,
I couldn't find this magazine article on line, but cannonball guy gave me some awesome information with the details included. When I get closer to a town, I will see if I can find me a copy of that magazine that you are talking about. Thank you for your help! Cindy

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Details from wear are probably in the EF range, but there is corrosion and marks from cleaning that would keep it from actually grading in that range. Nicely detailed coin.

Does EF mean extra fine? Now with better photos, would you change your thoughts? Thank you for responding and for sharing your thoughts.

 

[kuger]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy,I will offer you a VALUABLE tip......in the future if you wish for your coins to retain value........do NOT clean them

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Nice Quarter,I have to tell ya out of the Seated coins,excluding Seated Dollars the quarters are least dug by me,good job!!

Thanks for that Kueger, I was THRILLED! Then to see the condition! I was initially rubbing the dirt off of it and once I saw it wasn't a modern quarter, someones wise words of wisdom about not trying to clean things off until we get it home (so we can do it properly) rang in my head and I stopped immediately! I might be responsible for a little of the scratching, but I don't think much. I only used an eraser and some water and a camera lens cleaning cloth. Then it went in a protective case! Thank you again for your comments. Cindy

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy,I will offer you a VALUABLE tip......in the future if you wish for your coins to retain value........do NOT clean them

LOL ... You posted the same time I posted! Assuming I cleaned this coin properly, is that still the same advise? How are you suppose to know the condition if you don't clean them?

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

! wow! great first in the silver range! might want to put in a 'coin window' to keep it nice-

Thank you for the thought, and I took your advise!

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Nice Quarter,I have to tell ya out of the Seated coins,excluding Seated Dollars the quarters are least dug by me,good job!!

So I take it from your comment, that you dig a lot of silver coins, what settings do you use and do you have any tips for finding silver, as I am either doing things wrong, or I only detect where tight wads have stood! LOL

 

[kuger]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy,I will offer you a VALUABLE tip......in the future if you wish for your coins to retain value........do NOT clean them

LOL ... You posted the same time I posted! Assuming I cleaned this coin properly, is that still the same advise? How are you suppose to know the condition if you don't clean them?

If their is water near by,I hold the coin by the rim,and swish it back and forth in the water and get as much of the soil off I can....without touching the face.I then gently wrap it in a moist tissue or paper towel,and put in a pill box I carry just for that purpose.After I get it home same thing,hold it under running water,and get as much dirt off as possible.Silver and especially gold is very soft and sometimes impossible not to scratch,but every scratch takes value away..sometimes by thousands of dollars.When you send it in to be graded they look at under a microscope and many times if it has been cleaned they will not even grade it

 

[kuger]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Nice Quarter,I have to tell ya out of the Seated coins,excluding Seated Dollars the quarters are least dug by me,good job!!

So I take it from your comment, that you dig a lot of silver coins, what settings do you use and do you have any tips for finding silver, as I am either doing things wrong, or I only detect where tight wads have stood! LOL

LOL!I find my share,and have friends that are silver magnets..................I dont have any secret setting,just hunt places that had a lot of human activity in the "Silver",coinage days

 

[l.cutler]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

With the new pictures it is a bit worse than I thought. That is a really harsh cleaning, pencil eraser is a big no no, and even rubbing the dirt off or the camera cloth rubbing will hurt. A good rinse or soak in water, and pat dry, no rubbing is the safest bet.

 

[kalebdad]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Use PCGS photo grade. It's available on the website. Pcgs.com

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Use PCGS photo grade. It's available on the website. Pcgs.com

That is an awesome link! Thank you for that! Cindy

 

[cdsieg]

Re: 1853 Quarter what is the condition rating or how to find out?

Cindy,I will offer you a VALUABLE tip......in the future if you wish for your coins to retain value........do NOT clean them

LOL ... You posted the same time I posted! Assuming I cleaned this coin properly, is that still the same advise? How are you suppose to know the condition if you don't clean them?

If their is water near by,I hold the coin by the rim,and swish it back and forth in the water and get as much of the soil off I can....without touching the face.I then gently wrap it in a moist tissue or paper towel,and put in a pill box I carry just for that purpose.After I get it home same thing,hold it under running water,and get as much dirt off as possible.Silver and especially gold is very soft and sometimes impossible not to scratch,but every scratch takes value away..sometimes by thousands of dollars.When you send it in to be graded they look at under a microscope and many times if it has been cleaned they will not even grade it

Thank you for that info, and I will have those words ring out in my head the next time I find something this great!