First Peace Dollar 1921-How did I do?

Let me preface this by saying I just recently got into collecting peace dollars. Let me also say this peace dollar I purchased can be returned within 14 days. I don't have it in hand yet and want to see it in person before I decide if I'll keep it or not but I want to get the opinion of more experienced collectors.

I have looked at hundreds of 1921 and 1928 peace dollars. Hundreds. In addition I've used "A Guide to Peace Dollars" by Burdette and suggestions for forum members to arrive at this purchase decision and I'm curious to see how I've done.

As you all know the 1921 is infamous for its poor strike quality. I'd say the vast majority of 1921 peace dollars for sale and that have sold on auction (ebay and ha.com) in the past 6 months have been poor to average strike. I've only seen a couple of truly excellent struck ones available but they were in the ms 65/66 level which is above what I was willing to pay.

With all that said, here's the one I ordered. Its an MS-64. It has some toning and due to the pattern of the toning I'd venture to guess its been dipped. The bottom near the date has a little bit of uneven toning which I think further points to this. To me it is well struck, evidenced by the quality of Liberty's hair, the lettering, the Eagle's feathers, and even maybe a slight apple cheak to Liberty. I also don't notice a lot of distracting marks. There are some small marks on Liberty's cheaks and a cut in her hair, but considering this year and grade it looks to be much less distracting than most of them I've found out there that have a better than average strike quality. It seems you generally have to choose between a nice completely clean and white coin and poor strike or an above average strike and lots of toning/spotting or dirt in the ms-64 level. To me this coin seemed to strike a nice balance with the main emphasis being strike quality and clear fields.

So my question for you is how did I do? Did I choose wisely or poorly? Again returning will be as simple as paying return shipping. But I've noticed its very very hard to get a well struck 1921 in ms-64 and even many 65's are still poorly struck.

 

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@timewaster1700

Your links aren't working.

Chris

 

What's 1700 stand for? I got the first part.

 

Not sure why the first way of linking to the media gallery didn't work. Hopefully the attachments worked now. Thanks for the heads up.

As for 1700 it was random. I've used this same screen name for a long time on other sites

 

I think it is a good coin. But it is not my specialty either. Heck I don't have a specialty yet

 

How well you did all depends on how much you paid for it so I can't really give insight as far as that goes.

The coin sure is beautiful though
It looks to be pretty well struck for a 1921.

 

I should add I paid $825 for it. Which is a bit high for a ms 64 but I figured the nice strike was worth it.

 

I’m not an expert either, but I do like this series and spend a lot of time looking at old auction listing photos similar to you (sadly I haven’t seen too many in person, something I need to rectify ). Anyway, I think for a 64 it looks great, particularly if strike is the most critical aspect to you. I would note, though, that while the central portion looks to have a better than average strike (even compared to higher grades, as you note), the upper portion of the coin is where the weakness appears to be showing up (look at the spikes on the crown/tiara, which appear to be quite flat as well as what appear to be very soft “B” and “E” in LIBERTY). Even so, at a 64 and at that price, I think you did all right.

Do we think that the gashes on the reverse prevent it from a 65? Perhaps there are some friction marks on the high points that can’t be seen from the photos?

Lastly, I agree with the comment on the dip, as I think I see a few residue spots around the date (and maybe a small one to the left of Liberty’s forehead?).

Please share more photos once you have the item in hand.

 

A fairly decent price on a great looking Peace Dollar semi key.

 

Nice piece with a bit better than average strike. I hate say it, but I think you overpaid by about $100-150 after looking at the recent prices realized.

 

Very nice coin ,it's a keeper if you ask me !

 

Thanks for chiming in guys!

I love your user name! Haha so good!
I didn't notice the soft strike of the B & E and am still struggling to see what you mean but I can see what you're saying about the tiara being a little soft struck. I guess I feel the left field, the face, and the hair are the central focus of the obverse and tend to bug me the most of they are distracting or poorly struck.
It will be interesting as you say to see it in person and see what else I may have missed. This is why the ability to return it was very important to me. I imagine the gashes on the reverse and the nick on the hair on the obverse probably factor heavily into it not being a 65.
I didn't notice the potential spot left of liberty's forehead. I will definitely check that out in person. A little undistracting differentiation in toning would be ok but if there are any actual rinse spots left behind I think that is probably a no go. Thanks for your input!

I did notice that most of these coins in 64 have sold for low 600's to high 700's but most of them also do not have good strike. I tried to talk the seller down but they were selling this item on consignment for another customer and this is as low as they could go (Original list was $950). If I don't like it in person or have doubts I will send it back especially since I paid a higher price. Thanks

 

I usually don’t like white coins, but your Peace dollar really has great eye-appeal. Don’t worry too much about the price, I paid more than price guide for most of my coins. Again, nice coin, above average strike/luster/eye-appeal, I am just missing some toning

 

Well that's weird.
Back to what I had written.
It has some dings/contact marks on both sides but that is par for the grade.
It's a very nice and lustrous original looking coin.
Would still like to see your interpretation when you get it.

 

@timewaster1700,

First, welcome to CT, although your user name is meaningless on this site .

For a Peace collector, I would say (based on these pics) this is a nice specimen to acquire. I particularly like the reverse.

I have a couple of decent Peace $'s just to have as specimens, since this is not a coin I have generally collected.

As for what you paid, you're probably "within a 10 ft. pole" of where you should be,...when you get it in hand, you can make a final determination, but I think you're good now.

 

How does the TrueView look?

 

I think it is a beautiful coin. There are so many MS 1921 Peace Dollars that look like crap. Your coin has eye appeal. Price? I would have gone a maximum of $750, but that is me.

 

I love Peace dollars
Very nice 1921 HighRelief , much nicer than mine.
Congrats

 

Nice coin. Not trying to be critical, since you are new. Actually I'm trying to be helpful? But next time, don't say how much you paid for it. Most here know what coins like this run. Unless you feel it is necessary? You are just leaving yourself open for more criticism, than praise IMO. No big deal though. I just try to refrain from doing this.