Hi Everybody. My first post here, although I've been reading posts here for a while. I figured I'd ask those who know a question. In your opinions based on your experience, what coins by series usually have the best strikes? For Example from my meager experience I would vote 43D Jefferson and the 48P Franklin as the usual leaders of those series. I hear a lot of people saying the 39D Mercury dime has the usual best strike for that series, and the 1881 Morgan too. So going back to around the Morgan Dollar era or as far as you want, which years/mint of each series do you think have the best strikes? Thanks, looking forward to hear opinions.
For Morgans, while there are plenty of well struck dates, the early S mint coins (1879S, '80S, and '81S) are usually recognized as having the best strike (and luster too). * If I had to pick one, I'd go with the 1881-S.
For Jefferson nickels, I feel the silver 'war' nickels are known for some great strikes. Strikes got pretty mushy through the 60's. In my experience, the mid 70's offer some pretty nice strikes as well. Here are some great strikes 30 years apart:
Morgans, generally, had the best metal movement. Very well distributed. I'd agree with something like the 1880 or 1881-S. From the perspective of detail, not necessarily strike, I love the 1916 Lincolns. Dies were freshened-up nicely. Lance.
Wow, that is some serious detail on the wheat. Lincolns hair especially. I got a 1909P, compared to that coin Lincoln looks bald
Yes! And look at the eye...no one ever talks about the eye and brow. Funny...several years later the branch mints began to turn out the worst Lincolns of the whole series. Lance.
