1858 LS Half Dollar - Straight Grade or Details?

I am considering submitting this raw 1858 half to PCGS for grading. Do you think it would straight grade or get a details? Please vote in the poll. I've included a "on the bubble" vote for an even chance it could go either way.

If you would like to opine on the grade also, that would be very welcome also.

 

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I’m leaning straight grade

 

Great pictures

 

Close, but I'm voting details. Both wiped and small scratches combine to make it iffy.

 

Tough call. Will they bag it for the scratch next the freedom cap? Is it messed with above LF D? What are the dark lines behind the eagles head and extending from his neck? Is it re-toning from a prior cleaning?
Is that a die clash between AL?
Assuming the lines on Miss Liberty's arms are from circulation I would go AU58 or AU details, altered surface. Nice coin either way, good luck!
I voted on the bubble.

 

Love the early stage die break.

 

Next to the pileus, so I'm voting details. Very nice AU though.

 

AU Details. Nice coin.

 

The small scratches are not the problem. It's the hairlines that are going in the wrong direction. It could grade, but my bet would be on "details." I've had less problems get flagged, especially in the body bag era when you got nothing for your money.

 

It's a damn shame I tell ya, a damn shame . . . . . . .

Details . . . . . .

Z

 

Agree with Z damn shame I would accept it as clean grade in my collection
It is 166 years old wish I'd look that good!

 

I see it as AU details due to hairlines indicative of cleaning.

 

Yeah, I would guess a details coin. Check out this submission and see if you can see why some got a genuine grade.
Order Details (pcgs.com)

 

I think it makes it into a straight graded holder. There are hits and what appears like wear; the luster appears solid as well, so my guess is AU 55 (with an outside chance of 58).

 

I am in the Circ camp AU most likely 58'.
I think that a 55 would be disappointing.
I do see reasoning for a 55 but not in todays market. How is the luster? ND why aren't we talking about CACG. I give there grade a 53.

 

Considering the number of coins I have seen lately that have obvious scratches from being dug up from the ground or have other significant scratches I would bet on a straight grade. James

 

Based on those stated thoughts, shouldn't your vote be Straight Grade and not On The Bubble?

 

I took this coin to my Local Coin Club meeting last night and showed it to some experienced collectors. They showed the same ambivalence that you (and I) have toward this coin, some thinking straight grade 55 and some thinking AU-Details. One wag even thought it might grade "AU-63".

One suggested sending to NGC instead of PCGS as he is of the opinion that PCGS is harsher than NGC. Don't know if that's true or not but I think I'm going NGC because I think I can get lower total costs of grading there.

I also had those guys look at four raw gold coins that I'm submitting. The general consensus was:

1925-D Quarter Eagle - AU-58
1903 Half Eagle - AU-55 or maybe AU-Details Cleaned
1881-S Eagle - AU-53 or 55
1915 Eagle - AU-58 or maybe AU-Details Cleaned

Submitting these coins for grading is part of this year's efforts to "tidy" my collections by eliminating duplicates, selling off collections I'm no longer interested in, and eliminating higher-valued raw coins from the collections by selling or grading. This is partly motivated by wanting to make my collections easier for my heirs to dispose of. I'm 72 and in good health but you never know.

Thanks all for your thoughts. Very helpful.