1879-S VAM 9

Still working on taking better photos, but I think it is around an xf or so, there is some where on Liberty's hair above the ear and above the brow. Also some where on the Eagles breast feathers.

I do like the eye appeal of this one as well.

I would disagree regarding grade; methinks this one's no worse than AU50, maybe 55. The hair details are not always fully brought up; I tend to concentrate on reverse details such as the top edges of the wings, the neck and legs when grading.

This stuff isn't really all codified in one book; it's more just experience you pick up with practice. One can generalize more about mint than year. Generally, I expect San Fransisco coins to be well-struck and New Orleans the opposite. Philadelphia can be all over the scale but normally is found well-struck. Exceptions occur.

It's actually kinda hard to describe the process, since the areas where weak strikes show are also areas of early wear - hair, breast, talons. The biggest two leaves, left and right of the wreath. The dots in the cotton bolls.

I do this almost subconsciously now. Part of it is factoring in the quality of the photographic process; it's a heck of a lot easier in-hand because then you can evaluate luster as an additional factor. There will be a more rounded look to the hair nearest the ear when it's wear; a flat strike tends to "shelve" there. The talons will be equally featureless with a weak strike, and differ in detail if worn. If the detail at the top of the wings is sharp yet the breast looks "worn," I think strike instead of wear.

Hey buddy, how have you been? I have missed you....We have been talking coin stuff here.

I like the exchange of ideas......I think that normally Dave and I see eye to eye (unless he just humors me most of the time), but we are at odds on the 7/8TF thing it seems.