I just love those innovative incuse BLP quarter and half eagle gold coins.
For the unitiated, can be tricky to grade for yourself, but it DOES pay to learn how to do so.
Have a look at the PCGS Photograde site for all American coins, on how to grade.
THEN buy a slabbed example, is probably the safest way to go for the American collector.
I will eventually get a nice BLP half for myself, but I prefer unslabbed coins for my own collection.