I am going to say AU58 - the wear make look worse, but it appears to be a weaker strike than the first coin. More luster across some of the lower surfaces that some may think is wear. Just one guess in many. And my question still did not get answered - when doing an EAC grade if it has "any" sign of wear it can not be AU? Is that true. Another nice coin.
Thanks - see post http://www.cointalk.com/t153962/ #15 by mikenoodle. Maybe he meant MS is out of reach, which would make sense.
I like the 1818 better because it is more evenly toned. The 1826 will grade higher though. Tell us what you thought of them when you bought them
Jus a little reasoning for me. Same grade with more luster, less wear and more distracting toning on the 26. Nets out the same. The toning at the bottom right of the 26 is unappealing to me, but only compared to the 18.
I'll say PCGS rewarded you with a MS 60 grade . Nice looking coin as was your first example the 1818 .
AU55 and a beauty. I know nothing about how to grade these and if there's too much wear and not enough luster, maybe it's XF45. Love the look, whatever it grades.
PCGS graded it 58, which is exactly what I had predicted. I thought it was going to be easy, as even the new guy got it right after seeing the side-by-side photos. Then again, my photos are taken with the light at about 45 degrees to show the color. The result is photos that do a terrible job of judging luster, which is VERY important in these AU grades. As for this coin. I like it. I bought it. However, if I had it to do all over, I would have waited for a nice example without the distracting obverse toning. I haven't been able to find the receipt so we can't discuss the price I paid versus the guides. However, I wrote the dealer who I bought it from a note in hopes he kept a record. Once I hear anything I will update the thread and discuss price-vs-grade-vs-guide.
I didn't bother to read through others' guesses before I made mine. If I had, I certainly would have guessed it graded higher than coin #1. May not be much difference in price between 55 and 58 but I like the coin regardless. I think the uneven obverse toning gives it an original feel and the reverse is just plain nice.
So, Shawn got back to me. I paid a cool $1k for the coin. Which is about right for a retail transaction at the PCGS 58 grade (PCGS lists the coin at $750 in 55 and $1250 in MS 60).