1942-D Australian 6 Pence

Did you know the S and D mint Australian of the mid-1940s were struck at San Francisco and Denver?

As someone who's relatively new to this could you explain why it's AU over MS? When I look at it I'm seeing amazing detail in the grass, shield, and lettering, but you guys know more about this than I do. What am I missing?

I'm not big on grading, but that's a beautiful coin.

The factor that would hold it back from a higher grade would be the tiny dings on the obverse field.
The reverse looks pretty clean, in that respect.
But, in the Australian system of grading, these would be categorized as "bag marks", which means damage which occurs in the handling processes within the Mint, and therefore doesn't prevent it being graded "Uncirculated".

Yes, the grass looks good. Other places to look for wear are the shoulder and rump of the 'Roo, and the middle of the emu's body - high points, that are the first to show wear. Also, the King's hair.

When I was a boy, a sixpence bought a very nice ice-cream.

AU53 is about right, it's been cleaned too.