I ran into this pretty fantastic AU58 this morning http://www.davidkahnrarecoins.com/p-926-1836-lm-5-small-5c-pcgs-au-58-325.aspx
I would say it should be more like AU53. For a coin to be graded AU58 it should only have the slightest traces of wear on the high points. But that coin has wear evident even in the fields.
hmmm I've looked at a lot of these half dimes and that one, K think, is as good as it gets. I'm not sure that is wear that you are seeing.
I agree with Doug, though if 58's are being graded 63 nowadays, I guess 53's are being graded 58 to take their place. It is a pretty coin, with nice luster though. The wear is in all of the usually spots on these, hair curls, cap, etc. These coins usually come very nice since they were so light other half dimes did not damage each other, unlike silver dollars.
