Please Grade This Eisenhower Dollar

You guys were a little off and it's probably because of my photos. This may not crossover to a 65 to a top TPG but it would have a good chance. These Ikes are hard to find without a lot of bagmarks in their prime focal areas. This one is pretty clean.
You'd have to see it in hand. Remember these were not in the mint sets and there was no special care taken with them from the mint.

Thanks to all who responded, first of all I'd like to say I know the reputation of NTC. In this case I bought the coin not the slab. Now I really think the true grade of this coin is MS-64. Many people that don't collect Ikes do not know that several revisions were made to the design of the Copper-Nickel clad coins during 1971 and 1972, they were poorly made. It wasn't until 1973 that acceptable strikes were achieved. As most know poor strikes on an uncirculated coin sometimes gives the coin the appearance of being AU. The strike on the coin I pictured is not as bad as it looks. I have one other 1971 Ike in a slab and it's from a TPG, so for arguments sake if the first coin grades AU-50 what would you grade this one. Pic is with the same camera, lighting and white balance.

Hi nohope587, which coin has the wear on the eagles feathers, the first coin pic I posted or the one I just posted today? These are 2 different coins. The strike on your coin is awesome, but it's not a fair comparison, like comparing apples to oranges. I have many 40% silver Ikes and proofs in TPG slabs and I'll post some pics later in the week. If a coin was weakly struck and never saw circulation it would still grade MS or uncirculated. Thanks for your opinion and the great pic of the '72-S!

Hi Mr. Merc,
I would agree that the PCGS coin really doesn't look too good for an MS65 coin. It appears that the typical indifferent strike and poor luster on an early Ike dollar makes it hard to grade. Nevertheless, the NTC coin and the second example you posted both have an AU-ish look, IMO. Luster is very weak on both coins and there seems to be some slight discoloration on the cheek and head which looks like light wear.

The great rarity of truly nice business-strike Ike dollars is evident from auction prices. Silver Ikes from San Francisco in PCGS MS67 can be had for less than $50. The cheapest PCGS MS67 Denver coin I found on the Heritage auction archive sold for almost $3000. I only saw one PCGS MS67 Philly coin. It was a 1976 Bicentennial and went for over $4000 .

I'll post a pic of the second coin in the slab when someone takes a guess at the grade.

Hi nohope587, you hit the nail right on the head. It's in an old ANACS holder, I've had this coin at least 8 years. Yes they graded tougher back then in a lot of folks opinions. I'm sure the other coin is also MS, no breaks in the cartwheel and in hand is much nicer than the ANACS graded coin and a better strike, compare the outline of the moons surface. So does anyone think the other coin has a decent chance at MS 65 from a TPG? Wow, I'm really beating this one to death!

Well considering the first coin has better luster, less major marks and a better strike,why do you say ANACS got the second coin "spot on" and why do you say the first coin is MS-62 at best? If you could just post you reasoning for the grades I would appreciate it as we are all trying to learn here. Thanks!

Thanks for your opinion gbchaomaster, there was no special attention for these coins when they were minted as you know. So yes there are hairlines and dings in almost all of them before any were circulated. This does not keep a coin from being uncirculated or BU.