My Accugrade Adventure

The coin arrived. The diagnostic proof die cleaning scratches are present. The coin has not been cleaned and has partially toned gold color.

Every eagle feather is struck on the wing next to the leg. Every hair strand that I know of is present. The coin has been banged around some and shows contact marks so the MS62 is realistic.

All I wanted was a full strike. I could do better for $40,000 but this is good enough.



I could use a better camera too...you get the idea anyway...

well peldini, think about it for a minute. if youre holding a proof coin and the same coin but a business strike and notice a certain group of die scratches of the proof coin and then see the exact same group of die in the exact same spot on the business strike you know that the die struck both coins because those scratches are unique to that die.

btw thq, nice score, it looks great.

1-H.

Rotating the coin's reverse under a strong light parallel to the surface it is apparent that the coin has been wiped in one direction, across the whole piece. This was not apparent under overhead direct light. It is not enough to affect strike details, but it plays havoc with finding the die scratches. These can still be seen in the protected areas around the eagle's talons, but they are gone in the fields. The wipe doesn't impair the strong strike details, and with the gold toning it's still an attractive reverse.

The obverse has full cartwheel luster and is not impaired. The diagnostic 1-H satin proof die polishing scratches are most apparent below the hair bun and at WE. The Vamworld photos were helpful in identifying them, as was a Heritage MS66.

As everyone expected, Accugrade did overgrade this coin. Uncirculated details, at best.

darthmorgan I've been looking for a full struck 1921 for 20 years. There are probably 50-100 that are this good. Considering that the obverse is clean I'm happy even though the reverse is impaired. It's Liberty I want, her full hairdo intact, surrounded by a golden cartwheel dish.

Interesting point messydesk. Here's a 2003 Heritage auction, about the same period as the Accugrade slab and pre 1-H VAM designation

http://coins.ha.com/itm/1921-1-matt...a/330-9143.s

The history blurb in this says that the first specimen turned up in 1975 and the die polishing marks were known soon after. They're not readily visible to the eye but show easily with 10x magnification and cross lighting. The wipe on the reverse took out the prominent lines at "states > of", though traces can be seen in the o.

I would have bought that coin had I seen it. I have a very nice one in NGC MS64 that actually has the toning that the satin proofs take on and the proof die markers are all visible some by eye. Nice pic up and fantastic that you bought the coin and not the holder. As to your photo it may just be an issue with settings and lighting. Just ask messydesk as he and I know you can get some nice images even from point and shoot cameras.