Gold coin bought almost at melt price

[btripp6]

Picked up this 1896 S half eagle last week and was wondering if anyone that is more knowledgeable could pipe in and let me know about what it would grade at? Paid $365 so no matter what I really didn't get hurt.

 

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[hill_billiez]

Can’t go wrong with price paid. Looks like a higher grade to me.

 

[btripp6]

Thanks. I'm contemplating sending it off but just wondering if it's worth it?

 

[smokeythecat]

Do NOT clean it even with water. It might go fine or extra fine but with the brown stuff on it, they may not grade it and just put something like "EX details, environmental damage", AND CHARGE YOU FOR IT so I would not send it in.

 

[A2coins]

Any coin that's been in the ground is considered environmentally damaged which means no value for the most part but gold weight

 

[btripp6]

Any coin that's been in the ground is considered environmentally damaged which means no value for the most part but gold weight

It was never in the ground, at least as far as I know.

 

[xr7ator]

Tommy. It was in the news 30 years ago that a fella went on vacation to California and found a private minted gold coin with his metal detector. It came out of the dirt. The coin is super rare and the guy sold it for 6 figures.
Don't tell me those 16d dimes that come from dirt fishing don't have value! There are many many examples of dug coins with significant numismatic value.

You and I just haven't found a real good one.....YET!