Posted 09/29/2014 1:22 pm
Oh, dear. This is not what I expected to see when I clicked this thread. 
Teaching moment: When looking at these beautiful, high-resolution images of a droolworthy coin, do not forget that in-hand this thing is smaller than a Quarter. Add to that the odd effect the incuse design on the coin's appearance in ambient lighting - seek to hold a raw one if you haven't, and you'll know what I mean - the marks in these images are disproportionately magnified. You';ll be hard-pressed to see much of them in-hand.
More good news? This is a pretty common issue, and survived in large numbers in Mint State. Below MS63, that is. At 63 and above, pops dwindle radically and 66 is Top Pop. The coin here is pretty well-struck even for a year known for good strikes. Aside the unfortunate X in front of the nose it shows none of the little skritches that even Mint State gold is known to attract like Velcro.
Wow. What a tough coin.
The bad news? You can expect a TPG to be more than a little rough on these, considering that the value essentially doubles in every grade starting at MS62. As much as the rest of the coin begs for an MS64 minimum (and a value of >$2k), I'm believing they used the excuse to call this MS63. Wouldn't floor me if they wimped out and called it a 58, either, but I wouldn't agree with them.
Teaching moment: When looking at these beautiful, high-resolution images of a droolworthy coin, do not forget that in-hand this thing is smaller than a Quarter. Add to that the odd effect the incuse design on the coin's appearance in ambient lighting - seek to hold a raw one if you haven't, and you'll know what I mean - the marks in these images are disproportionately magnified. You';ll be hard-pressed to see much of them in-hand.
More good news? This is a pretty common issue, and survived in large numbers in Mint State. Below MS63, that is. At 63 and above, pops dwindle radically and 66 is Top Pop. The coin here is pretty well-struck even for a year known for good strikes. Aside the unfortunate X in front of the nose it shows none of the little skritches that even Mint State gold is known to attract like Velcro.
Wow. What a tough coin.
The bad news? You can expect a TPG to be more than a little rough on these, considering that the value essentially doubles in every grade starting at MS62. As much as the rest of the coin begs for an MS64 minimum (and a value of >$2k), I'm believing they used the excuse to call this MS63. Wouldn't floor me if they wimped out and called it a 58, either, but I wouldn't agree with them.
