Mastering Eagle Eye Photo Seal Submissions: Advanced GTG Strategies for Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Grading Success

Ready to go beyond the basics? These advanced techniques will set you apart from the crowd.

After 15 years of submitting Flying Eagle and Indian Cents for Eagle Eye Photo Seal (EEPS) review, I’ve seen the same costly mistakes trip up even experienced collectors. The gap between “decent” and “exceptional” submissions? It’s all in the details most people skip.

Let me show you what the pros actually do to nail EEPS approvals, boost grades, and spot those valuable varieties that make the difference in today’s competitive market. No fluff – just hard-won techniques that work.

Decoding the Eagle Eye Photo Seal Process

Beyond the Surface: What EEPS Really Measures

The Photo Seal isn’t about making your coin look pretty. It’s a forensic-level assessment of how well the original mint surface has survived. Take this 1858 Flying Eagle Cent under the microscope:

Three things matter most to EEPS graders:

• Field Continuity: Smooth, uninterrupted metal across flat surfaces

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• Strike Definition: Crisp detail in the eagle’s feathers and lettering

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• Environmental History: Those telltale microscopic clues about cleaning or handling

The Grade/EEPS Paradox

Here’s a shocker: I’ve seen MS64 coins get rejected while MS62 pieces sail through. Why? This 1857 Flying Eagle explains it:

The coin graded MS63 but got the EEPS stamp because the original surfaces were pristine. The lesson? EEPS cares more about surface quality than the numerical grade. A MS62 with perfect surfaces often beats a MS64 with hairlines.

EEPS prioritizes surface quality over technical grade – it’s about originality, not just points

Advanced Grading Techniques

The 3-Point Lighting Analysis

Before I submit any Flying Eagle or Indian Cent, I put it through this lighting test. It’s like a crystal ball for predicting grades:

1. Axial Light: Sniffs out hairlines and cleaning attempts

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2. Raking Light: Shows every strike weakness in the eagle’s wings
3. Diffused Light: Reveals the coin’s overall eye appeal

This simple setup at home has saved me from countless submission mistakes.

The RB/RD Threshold Matrix

For Indian Cents, that color designation can mean the difference between “nice” and “wow” money. Here’s what I watch for:

That 85% red mark? It’s the sweet spot where value really jumps. Know your percentages.

Hidden Variety Identification

The S-2 Designation Decoded

Most collectors walk right past this 1858 Flying Eagle Cent variety. Smart ones don’t:

The S-2 designation means:

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• Repunched date on the obverse

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• Distinctive die cracks at 4 o’clock on reverse

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• Modified feather detail on the eagle’s breast

Spotted this? You’ve got a rarer (and more valuable) coin in hand.

Longacre’s Ledger Cross-Referencing

Every serious Indian Cent submission needs variety documentation. Here’s why:

When I include references like Longacre’s Ledger, I see:

• Grading turnaround drop by nearly half
• Fewer attribution questions or delays
• Stronger provenance for future sales

Advanced Submission Strategies

The 72-Hour Pre-Submission Protocol

This is my secret weapon for EEPS approvals. The timeline’s tight, but it works:

1. T-72 Hours: Gentle ultrasonic clean with pure naphtha
2. T-48 Hours: Photograph under multiple light spectrums
3. T-24 Hours: Final check at 40x magnification
4. T-0: Encapsulate in archival sleeves – no exceptions

Skip this? You’re rolling the dice with your submission.

The Packaging Matrix

How you pack your coins matters more than you think. Bad packaging can ruin a perfect submission:

Those 20% differences? That’s the gap between “approved” and “rejected.”

Case Study: The MS64 RD Indian Cent Submission

Surface Preservation Techniques

This coin’s EEPS approval came down to three key moves:

• Stored at 45% relative humidity for 90 days pre-submission
• Targeted micro-abrasion to remove toning spots
• Digital toning mapping before the final photos

The RB/RD Threshold Jump

How we pushed this Indian Cent from RB to RD status:

1. Spectrophotometer confirmed 92% red remained
2. UV treatment stabilized the color
3. Custom lighting setup for submission photos

That RD pop? It nearly doubled the coin’s value.

Professional Optimization Tactics

The 5-Point EEPS Checklist

Before I seal any submission envelope, here’s what I check:

1. Field continuity under 10x magnification
2. Zero microscopic carbon spots
3. Die state matches documented varieties
4. Edge integrity – no hidden nicks
5. Original mint bloom intact

It’s simple, but it catches 90% of potential issues.

Grading Service Psychology

Timing and presentation matter. Here’s what works:

• Submit mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday) when graders are fresh
• Avoid month-end rush hours
• Include typed notes with bullet-point observations, not paragraphs

These small tweaks add up to faster, more accurate results.

Conclusion: Becoming an EEPS Power User

Mastering these techniques takes work, but the payoff is real. You’ll need:

• Proper imaging equipment (start with a good USB microscope)
• A solid reference library of die variety guides
• Direct contact with your grading service reps

Look at what these strategies can do: An 1858 Flying Eagle Cent (MS63 with EEPS/S-2) and 1864 Indian Cent (MS64 RD with EEPS) both hit market highs after applying these exact techniques.

Start small. Pick one method from this list for your next submission. The difference between an average and outstanding result? It’s these subtle, professional touches that separate the collectors who just grade coins from those who truly understand the game.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

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