OK, so here is my type coin. I’m not sure it’s entirely relevant as a comparison to @Eduard ’s 1862 Type 3 in the OP, since it is a Type 1. (I do like the later types like his, with the outlines around the star.) But I suppose because mine is an AU58, it demonstrates where the high points were that got the first whisper of wear in circulation. I primarily bought this one because I had always wanted an 1851-O: the only mintmarked trime. I might have paid a little too much for it.
It is difficult (for me, anyway) to distinguish between some “slider” AU58 coins like mine, and low-MS (-60, -61, -62) coins like the MS61 @micbraun posted above. Obviously the high parts on the star are the pickup point to look for wear, but because that feature is plain, without any additional ornamental details to show said wear (or the lack thereof), it’s kind of tough to determine sometimes. In the case of my Type 1 AU58, you can at least see traces of wear around the border of the central shield. But I imagine strike might also come into play in that area sometimes.
Let’s compare obverses, all in the same post, to make it easier. @Eduard - 1862 (Type 3) - raw @micbraun - 1856 (Type 2) - NGC MS61 @lordmarcovan - 1851-O (Type 1) - NGC AU58 I think mine gets outclassed by the other two in both grade and eye appeal, but hey, I’ve got that mintmark.
Eduards is easily the hands down candidate for an MS grade, pretty coin! Both you lord and Mic should sell me one of yours, I have looked for a nice Trime, it's that and a 2 cent that have eluded me.
I'm without a 2-cent piece at the present moment, myself. Need to find a nice one. This was my past best. Sold it years ago. I think it was CAM, though PCGS did not give the Cameo designation to proof 2c pieces at the time it was graded. It's gonna be hard to top that one with my present budget.
