1921 Peace Dollar grading

I am looking for opinions on the grade of this 1921 Peace Dollar. I am finding this year difficult to grade due to its high relief which typically causes a weak strike.

So the bulk of the hair covering Liberty's ear is flattened, which on other types of coins would mean it was highly worn in circulation in people's pockets, but in this case the rest of the coin is beautiful, including good detail on the eagle but weakened in the middle of it directly opposite her hair (the two high spots on the coin). I'd like to hear some experts' opinions. I have looked at multiple graded slabs online and still can't pin this down.

Thank you for any thoughts you can bring to this discussion.

 

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Looks 55 to me. Here's a coin that could be your coin's twin, in a PCGS AU-55 slab: http://www.terapeak.com/worth/1921-...-au55-certified-graded-key-date/351498398353/

 

Thank you, @Paul M. The example you sent was helpful. Just after that I ran across this example on eBay of an AU-55 which looks almost identical to mine (even more so than the one you sent). The only differences are: 1) my eagle has more feather detail (mine could have a slightly better strike?), and my obverse doesn't have the dings on Liberty's face/neck (mine could be a slightly better grade like AU-58?).

 

All of the hairlines on it bothers me........Improperly Cleaned.

Chris

 

My thoughts exactly... surprised they straight graded that piece...

 

Cleaned au 50 my thoughts. Definitely not original surfaces

 

Are you guys talking about the OP coin or the slabbed coin?

 

The OP's coin looks like it took a light cleaning to me. I think it would grade AU-50/53, cleaned.

 

I agree with Chris on the OP coin. I would call it AU details, cleaned.

 

The OP's coin.

Chris

 

The OP's coin looks like AU details, cleaned for sure. It has that dull, lusterless look of a cleaning, and lots of hairline scratches..

 

AU-53 Cleaned for the OP's coin.

 

F-VF, harshly cleaned.

 

Here is my 1921 AU 63/MS 58 (LOL) for comparison. Slight wear on the high spots, but original color, and no hairlines or luster chops from a harsh cleaning:

 

I think Chris is commenting on the original coin not the PCGS coin which is hazy and IF CLEANED it's still "market Acceptable." IMO there is nothing that shows in the photo to reach an opinion of cleaned.

PS Is Mike Thorne (above) the famous columnist?

 

Well, that's what I get for not zooming in on the image. I see the hairlines clearly now, and I agree -- AU-55 details. I thought it was funny lighting originally.

 

I'm in the 55group...

 

I'm famous? Thanks!

 

I think the OP's coin could reach a 58 if not cleaned.

 

To me it looks like a lot of wear, not a weak strike. To clarify, it probably did have a weak strike before it circulated for several years and was then harshly cleaned. That's my opinion, for whatever it's worth.