I have two identically graded 1949 S Roosevelt dimes graded by NGC as MS65FT. NGC has only graded about 40 total 49 S' s with the FT designation in all grades. I don't need two of the same coin, so I thought I would sell one off. This is a purely personal opinion of yours, but if you were going to keep one, which one would you keep? One is toned and one is pure white. I know there are those that have strong opinions about original vs. toned coins. This is just for fun and I thought I would see which would have a bigger market as a whole.
I normally would like the whiter coin, but I like the toned coins reverse much more. Tough choice, but I think I would keep the toned coin.
That toning on the first coin is starting to look terminal around the 'L' in Liberty.......at least to me it does. I like the whiter coin.
The toning on the first one is pretty neutral - its definitely not attractive, but its not unattractive. Normally, I am a big fan of toning, but this one is average. Thus, eye appeal nets out to be the same. Strike is much better on the toned one. The torch lines are strong on both of them, but there is clearly more detail on the toned one. Marks, however, is going to be the deciding factor on these two coins. On the untoned one, look at the rim at k6 on the obverse - that big ding seriously hurts the grade, and pulls this one down to a lower end 65. Couple that with the nicks on the torch (a small one on the top horizontal lines, one very small one on the vertical lines towards the bottom, and one good sized nick on the bottom horizontal lines) means that this coin is clearly lower quality than the toned coin. I'd say the toned coin is a mid-to-strong 65FT, and the untoned one is a low 65 with a barely FT. Thus, the decision would be very easy for me - keep the toned one, sell the other.
I have considered trying to cross it to PCGS. Even if it crossed the same grade, it would more than pay for itself in the new slab. I had a PCGS MS64FB that I thought was not FB. Very weak strike, so I see no problem with PCGS at least designating FB. They have only certified 66 of them as FB in all grades. It's the lowest pop FB/FT in the Roosevelt set.
... or sell both of them and buy a 66/67FT with rainbow toning instead. I sold all my graded Roosevelt dimes and bought a couple of high grade toners, which I recently submitted to NGC.
Once you hit 66, the price jumps a lot higher, and a 67 is even farther out there. 65 is the last affordable grade for me. These are so hard to find with such a low population. Only 106 graded between PCGS and NGC.
Believe me, I would like a higher grade one. My tiny budget allows me to get key dates, in low grades.
