That coin is technically a VF30 / VF35 all day long, but I believe both PCGS and NGC would grade it an XF40.
I don't think the details are sharp and crisp enough for XF. I am in the VF 30 camp. The reverse is better than the obverse. There are a couple scratches on the obverse and 2 minor rim dings on the reverse. There is a suggestion of an old cleaning. The residual dark areas by the date, arms, shoulders and inner right foliage. I don't know what that goo is inside the O in ONE and D and E in DIME, but it doesn't look natural to me. Also appears to be some crud at the rim at 5 o'clock on the reverse. I think it straight grades because this is a special and rare coin. But I don't see XF here.
I would be at high VF. Scarce date, so I do not know if the graders would "upgrade" for that. I have never been a believer in raising grades of scarce coins, the grade should be a grade.
That's a shame. In the ideal world I can envision, it would be graded VF by everyone and priced as if it graded higher.
I don't think they'd boost the grade for the coin being a better date, however I do believe they'd do so because it is a nice problem free example. I agree, but boosting nice coins seems to be the current prevailing practice.
VF40. I have seen many 60, 61, 62, 63, and a few 64s that have obvious wear, so at the very best, should be AU??. The way it is today. So buy the coin the way you see it. I see yours as a 35 but worth more than a 35. I am still looking for a holed one. Anyone?
