64. (Or strong 63, anyway.) For those who said AU, don't forget we're seeing a 1921 high relief coin, so the hair is seldom fully struck on those, and the typical strike weakness can look like light rub. Nice coin.
I have shown a few collectors what to look for in '21s. One told me that it looks like about 1 in 100 is struck well. I told him that is about right. As Roger Burdette said, you can have luster or strike, but not both.
Thanks for the feedback folks. Do you think @NGC missed the boat on this one? I bought the coin from a dealer as AU53. I also asked if the coin was cleaned, he of course told me it wasn’t. I myself do not think it was cleaned.
Didn't see that coming. Granted, hard to be definitive with internet pics, but I've seen countless straight graded Peace dollars that to my eye look no different. Help a humble numismatic plebe — what's the tell? (Assuming there is one.)
I'm looking at the scratch (?) in the eagle's tail feathers on the reverse. It looks like it extends to between the eagle's feet and above "Peace". The marks on the obverse rim at 4 and 9 o'clock look suspiciously like wheel marks, but I don't see any on the face. Could there have been light wheel marks across her face which have been buffed away?
Looks like it may have been dipped, but not cleaned. Crack it and let it tone up a bit. It should get a 62. The lack of details is strike, not wear. Even NGC says Unc.
Good job. I have a well struck one I got that wad in an NGC 64 holder. I cracked it, lightened it up a bit and got it into a PCGS 65 slab, then CAC put a green bean on it.
