1921 Peace $1

I hope you don't mind that I changed your images so that they would show up in the post. I like to be able to look at both sides at the same time.

In my opinion, there is a little too much wear on the obverse hairlines for an AU grade. I do see a good EF40 grade, though. Very nice coin.

My first impression was also XF, but then I took off five and went down to VF-35. Liberty's "dimple", however, may cause grading problems. I hope not; it's a pretty coin.

Fred

Well, I hope it wasn't buffed, but who knows? I also worry about the dimple Fred. In this type, the hair surrounding the ear is always weakly struck and, though that on this coin may be a little flatter for circulation, it's not much. (this coin looks remarkably well struck to me for that type of coin. More to follow.)

I think is at least EF if not Choice EF for the following reasons:

1) I think the point system become less meaningful on circulated coins, and a unique eye appeal as this coin has demonstrates the impossibility of nailing down the grade within a few numbers of a circ'd coin; so I choose to call it by comparative grading - which would push it up to an EF if it needed it

2) notwithstanding the flatness of the hair around the ear - again ubiquitous in the High Relief type - the bust is full with extraordinary rounded cheek that dominates the prime and focal area the sharpness of the mottos, lots of detail in the hair not around the ear, the toning (assuming it's NT) on both sides and I believe

(3) the reverse is gorgeous: The luster (which it appears still to have, seems to radiate from the base of the rays and billow; the feathers are also sharp around the neck especially and on the right wing.

4)I strangely don't find the big mark on the cheek as a distraction. Maybe they'll cut some slack because it's high relief. Coin has a lot of eye appeal IMO. So I would give this one the benefit of the doubt and push it up into the EF range. I will send it to PCGS, with the chance of a body-bag for the toning or for the cheek mark or both. I'm sure they'll err on the side of caution and give it a F-15.

From the image, it looks like the reverse is a little offset. Dipping almost always removes the original luster, but the degree to which it is removed depends upon the method of dipping. I had an 1890CC last year that nobody could state with any assurance that it had been, in fact dipped since it still had luster and cartwheeled, but it seemed dull. PCGS decided the issue and bodybagged it, so I sent it back to the seller who refunded my purchase price.

However, the big question is whether it meets your needs and you are satisfied with the purchase. Getting it graded would answer your questions, but if it fills a vacancy in your collection, why bother? I have an 1889CC in an ANACS slab which tells me it's been cleaned, but it doesn't matter since it is MY 1889CC and it is otherwise in AU condition.

Fred