I was at the LCS the other day and my buddy handed me a Peace dollar to check out. It was so off the cuff as I didn't have my reading glasses on, nor did I have my loupe out yet. I proceeded to rotate it around and it was full of luster, my assumption was a mid-MS grade coin. Anyway, after getting out my vision tools it was clear this coin was an XF at best! What shocked me so much was the luster - even with the tools - looked like a high MS coin!!! -- a super distinct cartwheel. I was so floored I bought it for a few bucks over spot... what the heck right? Are these cheaters/whizzers/buffers etc. etc. getting THAT good?!? I wish you all could see this coin in hand. It's soooo weird... Thanks for listening, I thought it was an interesting experience... it was a 28-S for the record...
That or it is possibly a high au coin with a terrible strike peace dollars are known for bad strikes. Had a 21 I graded au 50 pcgs called ms-63
I agree with all here. Its possible its just a very miserable strike. They were known to happen with Peace dollars. OTOH, yes whizzers can completely fool people who do not check closely. Many of them are very good at their "craft". I knew a dealer who either was good at it, or knew someone who was good at it, because his table always had some very good "quality" coins that were whizzed. Believable results, not overdone, and not very much metal built up around the devices. I admit I bought a piece or two until I caught on when I was younger.
Whizzing a coin may hurt the value of it rather than help it because it actually causes wear to the surface of the coin.
Its much worst than that. A whizzed coin is a damaged coin, just as much as if you punch a hole through it. Once whizzed, the coin will forever be a problem coin, worth far less than if left alone. I wasn't trying to imply what this dealer did was good, just the opposite. He was detestable by damaging coins and trying to fool collectors that they were actually higher grade than they thought.
Unfortunately I can't take a photo that represents what I am seeing --- believe me I tried... Sorry if you thought it is/was a worthless post, I'll keep more quiet....
Nah, don't go quiet. People here really like the topic that you introduced, it's just that they really want to see what you have now that you've got them interested. I'm sure any pics would do. Try shooting different angles perhaps?
Sometimes even bad pictures will help. You can see stuff like this on a lot of different coins not just Peace dollars.