Good question. First, the crispness of strike of a proof coin is completely different to the strike here. A proof, even a low grade proof from older dies, will have a much sharper, crisp strike compared to what's seen here. But, even more convincingly - proofs are made from a different reverse design type. Compare the earth on mine to a proof, as shown here:
Your spot on in your analysis. There are though some really great strikes in the UNC I have seen several 73 Blue packs with reverse's like this.
I absolutely agree that there can be some really crisp business strikes. But, they still don't compare to the proof. Here is my other Ike - a 66 that has satiny surfaces. I bought it years ago because I thought I'd never get a true PL Ike. I think this one also has a pretty nice strike - but nothing like the crispness of a proof.
I know some might not like the blue but I really do. In OGP. Has an original Star Trek floating head in space kind of vibe.