Jason, I just picked up this coin from Heritage auction. http://apps.heritagecoin.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=24061&Lot_No=134239&zoom=1&lighten=3#Photo As you will notice, neither Heritage or ICG (and probably not the consignor) caught the DDR! Would like your opinion as to grade and value. I think I got a good buy but need your expertise with this variety to substantiate it. Thanks Jason! David
Hi Dave, Makes you wonder what they were smokin that day huh. Nice score. I see one substantial hit on the cheek on the obverse. The reverse looks pretty clean. However, I wonder if PCGS would downgrade this a point because of the obverse and reverse spots.? Obviously it will not go FS because of the bridges but overall a fairly unbag-marked coin! I would have to say that if it goes 65 at PCGS then FMV would be right around $550 so I would have to say that perhaps you didn't get the deal of the century but definately won a nice coin.
It's almost as if everyone that had contact with it had caught something to miss the DDR! I think there is a hit to the reverse under the S in PLURIBUS and some small nicks to Monti. I do believe either PCGS or NGC would give it a 65. As for the steps, I tried real hard (and still am) to not see FS here. There does seem to be slight bridging @ P3, S4/5 but hard to tell from pic. ICG missed the DDR---maybe they missed the FS! I can only hope! From my search of Heritage archives dating back to '95, there have been 18 65 or 66 DDRs sold. 10 were in 65 and 8 were in 66, 9 are NGC and 9 are PCGS. Lowest hammer for a 65 was $385 (NGC) and highest was $834 (NGC). In 66, the lowest was $528 (NGC) and highest was $1610 (PCGS) but back in 8/01. Latest auction for a 65 was $690 (NGC) and for a 66 was $1265 (PCGS). If it makes FS---well, I'll wait for the coin in-hand before I start celebrating. Based on these results and the probability of losing a point, I would think PCGS the better submission---also the fact they are somewhat looser with the FS desig. I also think that your estimate of $550 is pretty close but may be a tad on the low side if PCGS slabbed. Thanks Jason!
