Opinions on a couple of 1840 dollars

I'd appreciate your opinions on these 2 1840 seated dollars. first, which do you prefer, and why? (the "why" is important) second, what do you think is the assigned grade?
Thanks!
coin A:
Coin B:

 

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Hands down, coin A. It seems to have original surfaces and good eye appeal. Compared to the dark toning of coin B, its surfaces are lighter and nicer.

I’d grade it XF45-AU50, depending on the remaining luster. The assigned grade is likely higher (AU53?) I noticed a couple of light scratches/hairlines, which may have prevented a straight grade.

 

I like them both , I do not know the series well but am thinking AU-50

 

I like the look of coin A. My grades:
Coin A- XF-45
Coin B: AU-53

 

I fear coin A may have received an XF or AU Details grade. I looks cleaned to me - I believe I see cleaning hairlines extending across Liberty and the fields. Additionally, I see a lot of detritus in the crevices of some of the devices but not in others. This coin is just too bright for its evident wear. Now if Coin A did straight-grade, I can see it receiving a 53 from PCGS.

Coin B is really tough since the overall blue cast of the photograph extends to the bluish cast of the white NGC holder, so I can't tell what the color of this coin might really be. As a result, I can't tell what the greenish stuff is in the eagle's feathers and located around the devices of the legend nor what it's color might be. I would call this coin a 45 but NGC may well have given it a higher number.

Frankly, I am not enamored of either coin as I don't feel either has good eye appeal.

 

If this helps, coin B has a grayish color with gold highlights that don't show in the photos. It's actually not bluish; not sure why it looks that way as I set the color balance with a gray card.

 

I'll post the grades tomorrow night, so folks on vacation can return home and (hopefully) check in to CT to see what they missed! Thanks for all the comments so far.

 

since I have the coins handy, I reshot photos of coin B with a slightly longer exposure. I think this is more true to its appearance in hand. My apologies!
Feel free to amend comments if appropriate.

 

Coin B looks much more natural and original in the new set of photos. I think B looks more original than A. I take back the negative opinion I previously gave of B but I'm still not a fan.

 

amazing what an extra 0.1 sec of exposure can do.

 

lovely , I still think around AU-50 but I do not know the series well

 

I definitely prefer coin B, having seen the new pictures. It may not grade quite as high, but to me it is more natural and eye-appealing.

 

I like B the most. I would grade it XF-45.

 

Coin B has the typical look for original surface Seated Dollars of this period. They spent most of their time in vaults were they got a lot of tarnish.

Coin A has been worked on to make it brighter. The work was not that bad, and I think the coin got a straight grade.

It’s really a matter of preference. If you want to showcase the design better, it’s coin A. If you are a purist, go for coin B. I have owned coins from both camps and made out okay with them financially. The kicker is both of those coins were raw, and I handled them years ago.

 

Larry, please share your opinion on coin A, if you care to. thanks.

 

I have about the same opinion of coin A as John does. It looks a bit bright to me. The images are really making the marks stand out. I'll guess it graded 35 or 40.

 

The worst thing about coin A are the many marks running down Ms. Liberty's arm. Given today's grading standards, you are dreaming if you think that you are going to buy a coin with that much sharpness in a VF holder. The marks might net grade it to VF, but the base grade is EF.

Coin B has AU sharpness, but the remaining luster is the key. If there quite a bit of luster in the protected parts, it will make AU.

 

Like others have stated B looks much more original. Coin A has too many marks, carbon spot on the right wing, and from the picture what almost looks like a palm print above the right wing. For these reasons I pick B.

I would have guessed AU50 Details grade for A and XF45 for B

 

I guess I'm the Russian judge. I think A is a high end VF and B is XF. Neither has enough luster for AU, IMHO.

 

I agree with most here. Coin B is the nicer of the two and looks the least circulated, but I really don't admire either one.