I don't come across these very often in any series... a VF coin with remaining luster around the devices! Very cool IMO. Got this at my local coin shop. Paid $95.
I haven't attributed it yet... just got it. But the numbers and letters are often drawn to the dentils in this series, which may be what you see below the 8. And I think the lighting is playing tricks on us with the one. There IS, however, a die clash above the date and a die crack through all the left side stars (which will probably help me attribute it later).
Might be a newbie question but how can a circulated coin still have luster? Wouldnt that be one of the first things to go in the circulation process?
It is. That's why posting about a VF coin with luster is noteworthy. Typically, almost all the luster is gone by the time the coin wears down to around XF. I've never seen a VF in hand that had any luster to speak of.
The luster up against the design elements such as the stars and within the letters, is actually not one of the first things to go at all. Think about it. When a coin is handled and spent, do people's hands and fingers come into contact with the area up against the stars? Or do they touch the star itself? The star (or letters in the motto, etc) actually work to protect the area closest to that star/letter! That's why these areas are often called the "protected areas."
When you finally get around to attributing it you will find that one of the PUPs on the obverse is a re-cut 1. Nice coin for under 100 bucks.
