It’s Wonderful Wheatback Wednesday! My Personal Insights and Collecting Tips
June 7, 2025I Squashed These: My Adventures with Elongated Cents
June 7, 2025
My Acquisition and Initial Thoughts
After years of wanting one, I finally got my hands on a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition half dollar – and I might have landed a real steal. Paid what felt like an EF-Details price, but I’m hopeful it could grade straight AU or higher when I send it to ANACS. The sharp details on the devices really caught my eye, so I’m feeling pretty optimistic.
Grading Challenges and Practical Advice
Looking closer, I spotted some surface graininess and that distinctive ring effect you often see across this series – even on mint state examples. My first thought was coin counter damage, but then I noticed similar marks on other Panama-Pacific halves, suggesting they might be part of the original die work.
- Don’t mistake raised die polish lines for scratches; they’re actually transferred from the die during striking
- Angle your light source when checking surfaces – it helps tell real wear apart from cleaning marks or die quirks. Reverse hairlines especially could mean a details grade
I’ve heard fellow collectors get ‘corroded’ or ‘cleaned’ labels on similar coins, so I’m prepared for that. Still, the strong strike makes me hope for an AU.
Identifying the S/S RPM Variety
That S/S RPM variety really pulled me in – spent hours learning to spot it. There are two known types, and finding them comes down to catching that tiny extra curve above the mintmark ‘S’ – the fingerprint of a repunched die.
- I leaned on NGC’s variety explorer for comparison shots, magnifier in hand
- Watch out for fakes though; genuine RPMs show clean doubling while counterfeits often look ‘off’
If you’re variety hunting, snap high-res angled photos before buying – those minute details matter.
Market Observations and Collecting Insights
Grabbing this at EF-Details pricing could pay off nicely given how collectors prize Panama-Pacific commemoratives. They’re historic, low-mintage coins where high grades really command premiums.
- Expect surface quirks like ring effects or toning rings – they’re practically part of this series’ personality, maybe from old mint packaging or blank feeding processes
- A straight grade could mean solid returns, but details grades usually soften values – keep that in mind when bidding
I’ll share my ANACS results when they come in – fingers crossed this gamble works out!
Final Tips for Fellow Collectors
From this adventure, I’d suggest always photographing your coin thoroughly before submitting, especially potential trouble spots. Grading can feel like a roll of the dice sometimes, but good prep helps. With Panama-Pacific halves, lean into their quirks – those ring marks tell the story of these beautiful commemoratives. Happy hunting, and I’ll update you when my grade arrives!
