Oh, and @Daniel Jones I fully expect you rib me pretty good when I get'em wrong...which is like all the time
I realize this is already revealed, but I'm pretty much in the MS66 boat. The rim hit on the obverse, coupled with the overall field fuzziness here and there would make me reluctant to give that a 67. Lucky, I suppose.
You better not let phankins11 read this or he might accuse me of trying to buy Coin Talk members influence. Ha, ha!
Nah, no verbal war, I was just joshin' around with you and anyone else I poked at. I realize folks have all kinds of opinions on the grades given out by the TPGs. The Ike is a good challenge for me. I'm starting to understand what to look for, starting to learn why so many look the way they do and why certain grades are handed out. @19Lyds is right. To an extent, the Ikes do get a break on grading, not just from NGC (mostly tho), and it's because of some of the planchet handling and pre striking processes that they endured. From what I've learned it's a miracle that any higher grade clad business strikes even exist, but then again it's why they bring a premium.
What are you guys seeing that makes you think 66? That seems like a ridiculously clean coin for a 66.... but I'm not an Ike specialist.
1) Six or seven hits on cheek. 2) Weird mark on forehead. 3) Black marks/lines in fields on reverse and obverse. Pretty sure the reverse scratch is on the holder, since it would show differently when hitting raised surfaces, if on the coin.
Well, I don't want to speak for the other 66ers, but my reason is the 2 light scratches behind Ike's neck additional to the 5 or so light contact marks on the portrait. Regardless, I still respect the grade NGC certified it as.
Dang, you guys have impossibly high standards. Remember, you are seeing the coin under strong magnification - and its a 67. It doesn't have to be perfect. Compare the OP coin to some other 66s, and I think you'll see the difference. The "marks" in the field behind his neck are merely disturbances in the luster, and aren't that severe. The reverse is pretty much flawless, and the luster is strong. The fields are remarkably free from imperfection, and there isn't a trace of unsightly haze. http://coins.ha.com/itm/eisenhower-.../131214-24718.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515 http://coins.ha.com/itm/eisenhower-...a/29123-24107.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515 http://coins.ha.com/itm/eisenhower-...a/29083-25380.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515
Got this bad boy on the mail today. Let me tell ya, it is every bit of the grade IMHO. It looks way better than the pics... @physics-fan3.14 you are right about the marks behind his neck, they are not scratches...disturbances may the best word, as you said. You really can't see them well without magnification, or at least really bright lighting. It has made a nice addition to my growing set. I'm very happy with it.
Thank you for posting your collecting interests. I always enjoy learning what coins others love to collect. I also love the state quarters. They really enhanced the hobby, I believe.