Need Your Opinion Of Strike And Eye Appeal On 1938 D/D Buffalo Nickel PCGS MS-66

Grade seems fair, with a few small ticks keeping it from a 67.

As far as strike goes, it's well struck. This is typical for the date. 38-D is about as well struck as they come, with far less striking issues/inconsistencies than any other year. Some of the mushiness in the devices you are seeing is due to later die state.

The later die state is what is causing that roughness you describe. As the dies wear with use the metal flow creates those grooves and rough patches. It is far more difficult to find an early die state 38-D given how many of these were pumped out.

As far as eye appeal and desirability go, its subjective. I tend to look for well struck examples, and early to mid die state buffs. Not to say I don't have plenty later die state examples in my collection, but if I'm looking at spending bigger bucks on a single example, I like the challenge of finding said examples. For Buffalo collectors, generally speaking, earlier die state and well struck prices tend to bring higher premiums. Luster and toning also being factors, as it is with most series.

to the CCF