Please vote in the attached poll for your opinion of the grade of this nickel. As always, comments welcome!
Strike: Appears well struck. There is none of that "planchet roughness" BS on his jaw, and the columns are all clear. Luster: Appears to be quite lustrous, and I'll bet it shines when you rotate it. Your pictures usually show luster pretty well, however, which has me questioning it. Eye Appeal: Natural patina is emphasized by subtle toning, more colorful on the reverse. Contact marks: The fields are quite clean. There are a number of significant marks on the obverse, but they are well hidden in the design (eyebrow, hair, ear, etc). Overall, this is the type of coin that, if the luster shines well, I'm sure would be 66 by any TPG, and any old timer would call 65. If the luster is dull-ish, like your pictures indicate, this is a solid 64+ that the TPGs would call 65. Key point - While the steps appear generally quite well struck, there is enough bridging on this coin that it should *not* get a FS. If any TPG called this FS, I'd question their reputability.
Agreed, MS-65. It would be a nice high end 65, but I would expect a little more luster at 66. Pretty one, it’s go beautifully in my set.
65 was my vote. I did go FS, but that was a shot in the dark as I'm not really used to determining that attribute.
This coin ticks me off. The obverse is dull and lifeless and no better than MS63 quality due to the lack of luster. The reverse is MS66/67 quality with rainbow toning and and outside chance at full steps. I grade this coin MS64. Unfortunately, it isn't worthy of a TPG submission, it will garner very little as a raw coin on E-Bay, and the obverse will stand out as a dog if I use it in my album collection.
I'll say 65 on this one. The obverse had me thinking there could be a touch of rub on Jefferson's shoulder, but there's nothing else on the obverse to indicate wear. It's just a bit dull. The reverse is the stand-out side of this one.
Maybe just my eyes - the N in Monticello - something going on there at the bottom of the letter or just glare?