Grading experts please help!

[pugwrangler]

If I were to get this graded would it be considered damaged? What do you think it would grade at? Thanks

 

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[bill from lachine]

Just an off the top of my head comment....as best as I can make out there's very little wear and some bag marks in the devices(the lower areas without details).

It should grade fairly high...as to value don't have a clue as no experience in this type of item.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[dejapooh]

Just an off the top of my head comment....as best as I can make out there's very little wear and some bag marks in the devices(the lower areas without details).

It should grade fairly high...as to value don't have a clue as no experience in this type of item.

Regards + HH

Bill

That is an Assay Medal, it never was in a bag. It is hard to tell from the pictures what damage there is. I see the spotting and tarnish marks, but it is hard to see anything else. My guess is that it is worth $400 to $700. It looks fairly typical that they have tarnish and marks. The members of the commission were not expert in handling numismatics, so that is likely speaking marks (bits of saliva from someone holding the medal and talking to someone cause spotting). There is no way to remove or clean them without losing value. If there are marks or scratching, I would want to see more. I don't think these are as dependent on condition as most coins.

 

[huntsman53]

I will add that only 4 have been graded by PCGS in the MS/PR-60 to MS/PR-70 Grade range and only one in each Grade of MS/PR-62, MS/PR-64, MS/PR-65 and MS/PR-66 which should help the O.P's Medal value-wise.

U.S. Assay Commission Medals - PCGS Population Report


Frank

 

[dejapooh]

I will add that only 4 have been graded in the MS/PR-60 to MS/PR-70 Grade range and only one in each Grade of MS/PR-62, MS/PR-64, MS/PR-65 and MS/PR-66 which should help the O.P's Medal value-wise.

U.S. Assay Commission Medals - PCGS Population Report


Frank

You will notice that while it is proof, it is not the typical polished mirror proof. This is a Matte Proof. They dies are polished then sand blasted with a fine grit sand. The same for the Blanks. This creates a smooth non-reflective surface. I would love to have a medal like that... are you having a garage sale anytime soon?

 

[dejapooh]

Check out 1910 Assay Commission Medal. MS63 Uncertified. Julian A

Sold price, $200 in 2006. That seems pretty low, but it was also a nicer example than yours.

According to Dr. Sol Taylor, there were typically between 30 and 55 made each year. In 1977, the last year of issue, they sold publicly for $20 and something like 1250 were sold.

 

[huntsman53]

Check out 1910 Assay Commission Medal. MS63 Uncertified. Julian A

Sold price, $200 in 2006. That seems pretty low, but it was also a nicer example than yours.

According to Dr. Sol Taylor, there were typically between 30 and 55 made each year. In 1977, the last year of issue, they sold publicly for $20 and something like 1250 were sold.

Although there appears to be a dent on the arm of the personage on the right on the Reverse and while there could be some scratches or nicks hidden by the black marks (whatever they are?) on the O.P.'s Assay Commission Medal that I cannot see which would pull the grade down, I just don't believe that the one that sold in 2006 was nicer than the O.P.'s Medal. I could be wrong but if the black marks could be removed without damaging the surfaces of the Medal or it's patina (toning), I believe the O.P.'s Medal would grade much higher than the one that sold in 2006. Also, the O.P's Medal has a stronger strike as would be expected if it is a Proof but this makes it more desirable to a collector.


Frank

 

[pugwrangler]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I picked this up for $600 with the original presentation box. I might have overpaid but wanted one because of the rarity. I can buy the 1909 for $600 aswell but have held off. Thanks again.

 

[huntsman53]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I picked this up for $600 with the original presentation box. I might have overpaid but wanted one because of the rarity. I can buy the 1909 for $600 aswell but have held off. Thanks again.

It is hard to say whether the price of $600 was a good price with so little information available on sales of these U.S. Mint Assay Commission Medals. I believe you made a good call on the 1909 as there were Re-strikes done in the 1960's and due to the weaker strike on the Reverse, it might just be one of those. However, I could be wrong.


Frank

 

[pugwrangler]

The 1909 has the case aswell.

 

[huntsman53]

The 1909 has the case aswell.

While the Presentation/Display Case could mean that the Medal itself is authentic, that may not always be the case, wouldn't you agree!!??


Frank

 

[pugwrangler]

I understand

 

[dejapooh]

Although there appears to be a dent on the arm of the personage on the right on the Reverse and while there could be some scratches or nicks hidden by the black marks (whatever they are?) on the O.P.'s Assay Commission Medal that I cannot see which would pull the grade down, I just don't believe that the one that sold in 2006 was nicer than the O.P.'s Medal. I could be wrong but if the black marks could be removed without damaging the surfaces of the Medal or it's patina (toning), I believe the O.P.'s Medal would grade much higher than the one that sold in 2006. Also, the O.P's Medal has a stronger strike as would be expected if it is a Proof but this makes it more desirable to a collector.


Frank

There is no way to remove the marks without damagine the surface. In fact, the black spots and streaks probably have already damaged the surface, and removing them will only cause more damage. Matte Proof surfaces are extremely delicate. It does not take much rubbing with a soft cloth to leave permanent marks on the matte finish.

Please remember, you can NEVER improve a coin by doing X. No matter what X is. Some experts can stabilize a surface, but I would certainly leave that to the experts.