Time for another poll! Help me pick the next "Eclectic Box" newp- again! (Lithuania this time)

One of these 1550 Polish/Lithuanian half-groschen pieces is PCGS MS63. The other is PCGS MS64. Vote for which one you like better, and if you are so inclined, post your guess on which is which.

The MS63 costs about $100 less, so since they really don't look THAT much different, I'm tempted by that. I don't see a one-point difference in the plastic/slab grade being quite worth a hundred bucks in this case, though if I can haggle the price spread down, I might go for the MS64.

The poll allows for more than one vote per viewer this time.

Coin A



Coin B

 

I owned an NGC AU58 (coincidentally also a 1550) about 3-4 years ago. It cost about $50 less than the PCGS MS63 above and $100 less than the PCGS MS64.



I have long liked this type, for several reasons:

1. They're relatively affordable, even in high grade.
2. Theyre 1500s dated silver (I love early dated coins).
3. They have a very cool design, with that knight and eagle.
4. They're not too tiny, at around 20 mm (roughly the diameter of a US nickel).

 

Thank you. Yes, I love that modern Latvian type, too (had a tiny gold piece with the same design not too long ago).

But these here are Lithuania, not Latvia.

And they are 16th century pieces struck by hand (hammered), the old medieval way, which accounts for the variance in strike.

And since I just traded away my Aethelred II Anglo-Saxon penny (which was PCGS MS63), I want another pre-1600 medieval/Renaissance/early modern coin for that category. And these are also Mint State (and way, way cheaper than the Aethelred penny I just parted with).

 

I will reveal which coin is the MS63 and which is the MS64 later, after either one has received a dozen poll votes.

 

Don't feel bad. I've gotten my Baltic "L-" countries mixed up a time or two myself.

 

Don't sell yourself short. I think that's a very rational and well-stated opinion, which runs parallel to my own in some places.

I think these polls are fun and they're helpful to me, because every extra set of eyes can be helpful, even if the viewer is not necessarily experienced with the type. Certain elements of eye appeal (strike, luster, color, etc) can be assessed by anyone, regardless of what kind of coin it is.

 

Thanks.

I think I've already made up my mind, but keep the poll votes and responses coming while I sleep on it (I got off graveyard shift at 7 AM). I'll reveal the grades on 'em when I return.

Thanks for the extra eyes.