Just picked this up. It's my first nicer example of a Liberty V Nickel and I think she's radiant! What would you rate her?
I don't know if it matters or is obvious to folks but this is a Proof not a business strike - mintage 4,763.
I was torn between a proof and amazingly struck business strike. I was not seeing a luster spokes nor any mirrored fields. It must be a matte proof. I would guess PR-65.
PR64 or 65, I guess. Pix are kinda smallish and darkish. Looks like a nice coin, though. Matte proof?
It looks that nice to me too, I'll try and take some "brighter" pictures, but it is currently slabbed by NGC as a PF61. I appreciate the input, it makes me think maybe I'm correct - but I know it's very difficult to assess these things unless you have them in hand, under good light with a magnifier (for me anyway). In any case, I'm very glad to have it - my first proof Liberty nickel, and my nicest by miles.
It's a really nice strike on that beauty. I'm going to offer an opinion that might not be very popular, but you asked. I'm thinking it might have received the 61 grade because of Liberty's face. It's weird because her face exhibits what appears to be possibly environmental or chemical damage. What makes it weird is that it only appears on her face, not on the fields or any other part of the obv or rev.
I wonder if it's possible the die was a little worn from use or that a bit of dust corrupted the face when it was made - that's an interesting observation on the face. For a Proof they did make a lot of these. (Hence I was able to pick it up for a little over $200).
That's plausible too. I'm hoping someone with more knowledge of these strikes than me offers their opinion.
I think it is undergraded. I said PF 64, but it is at least 63. Looks like lots of die artifacts,which should not bring the grade down that much.
