Nice coin! This has the nice look of an old album coin.
Matching EMDS dies. This is evident in the obverse detail of the strong date, full ribbons, and full rachis and calamus on the second feather. This is evident on the reverse on the separation of "F" of FIVE and "S" of CENTS from the rim, neck and beard detail, and strong EPU. Note the beginning of a small rim cud at 11:00 on the reverse and the small die chip inside the curl of the tail. This may lead to die pair identification some day.
Weak strike, even for 1918-D. The obverse die appears to have been seated very slightly off, evident on the weaker than normal LIBERTY and stronger than normal date.
Minimal die clashing and die polishing. The chin/EPU clash is minimal, with very little polishing at the chin and none at EPU. The second feather / buffalo's head clash is much more evident, with fairly strong polishing on the buffalo's head and a still-evident "spike" between the head and the "U" of UNITED. The obverse feather tip has been abraded partially. The "LIB" / right rear leg clash is moderate, with evident polishing above "IB" and heavy polishing on the right rear leg and between the legs. All in all, that is moderate clashing and polishing.
The surfaces are in excellent shape, with nice light golden toning. The obverse has either a struck-through or scratch near the rim at 11:00, a noticeable scratch descending from the nose past the chin, a slight rim ding at 3:00, and a small scratch (possibly on the holder) near 12:00. The reverse has a rim ding at 12:00, minor surface scratches beneath the buffalo's head, a deeper scratch behind the buffalo's left front lower leg, and a surface scratch on the buffalo's front shoulder. Minor album abrasions exist on both the obverse and reverse.
IMHO, a well-struck example with this appearance would hit MS-64 easily. The strike weakness is the major deterrent to a 64 here. I believe
NGC would see the obverse as MS-64, reverse as MS-63+, net MS-63+, with an eye appeal strike adjustment downward to MS-63. I fear that ANACS saw the toning, album scratches, and weak strike as evidence of light circulation, and came in at AU-58.
I'm not a fan of CAC, but if this one is below MS-63, I'd recommend sending it in for a bean assessment.
Again, tough date and a nice coin.
Posted 11/25/2020 10:24 pm
