1938 Oregon PCGS MS 66+ Question

I think what may be driving the grade is, overall, the coin has nice clean fields and very few distracting marks. Yes, the reverse rays do have a few nicks as does the Chief's right calf on the obverse. But, taken as a whole, the coin is quite clean and appears to have a nice "look." I agree that MS-66+ is a fairly lofty grade. In hand, however, the coin's grade might be more easily explained - images are only so good!

My humble view FWIW ... this is an outstanding surviving example of the long running Oregon Trail series and well deserving of the PCGS grade based on what I can see in the photos.

The obvious bag hits your are concerned about on the reverse sun rays are not impacting on the 'major focal areas' of the coin design ... neither is the bag hit on the obverse Chief calf. That is a key distinction for PCGS graders to differentiate between MS grades.

The coin overall (by photo) is clean and well preserved ... just as it left the mint mixed in with a few thousand of it's brethren and jostling about on that 1938 ride to distribution.

Of course you need to decide what works for you ... if your 'major focal areas' are the reverse sun rays then pass on this coin.

David

I'm in agreement with nickelsearcher..I saw the marks on the coin right off the bat but they were not nearly as distacting to me as they seem to be to you, I like this particular coin a lot