I have circled the very large ad distracting mark. It is pf 66, I know it is a pattern, but is it overgraded?
Not sure if it is over graded, but since there is only a few around, I don't think the price would be effected much if it were a proof 65 or a 66. This is a near unique coin, so not much to compare it too. I am thinking this is the aluminum one, and not the zinc plated steel, is that correct?
It depends upon at least two things. Are you certain the line is on the coin and not the plastic? Also, what if the die that was used to prepare the piece is known to have that line in it?
this is a 1942...so it should be copper. Is this an error or something I've not heard of? Or is your scanner just way too bright?
There were a few white metal patterns made in 1942 on several different planchet types when the mint was experimenting for the 1943 issue.
I can't tell from the image, but the circled area might be a mint-made flaw. And if so, it should not affect the grade. Also, if the flaw does happen to be post-production, what if the rest of the coin is perfect - do you feel that more than 4 points should be deducted (from a grade of 70) for such a flaw?
That is the double thickness aluminum piece and other markings show it to be the same one that is pictured in Roger Burdette's new book. The image in his book does NOT show that line so I would suspect it is on the plastic. Especially since I think that piece may be unique. (Although Roger says population is unknown.) And frankly with a coin of this importance and rarity who cares what it grades. Is it overgraded? Maybe, find another one. If it is the only one there is, the price is the price no matter what it is graded.
While I don't think a grade matters nearly as much on a unique coin or one of great rarity, it still bothers me when I see high profile coins which appear to be over-graded. I don't think that their rarity should excuse that any more than a common coin should.
Here's the coin whoch was sold at Heritage on 5/29/2009: http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1125&lotNo=1448 Here it is on the www.uspatterns.com website: http://www.uspatterns.com/p2077.html I would think that the "line" could be a "die scratch" as thats what it appears to be in the Heritage photographs.
