Most of my circulation grade coins are as found by me way back when. Sometimes I find a better example and swap it in my album. My recent CRH produced what may be a better 1938 D Jefferson. The coin on the left is currently in my album. I probably put it there in the 50's. The one on the right I just found in a CRH. I think I should swap them. Any opinions?
Those are pretty close. I have found myself getting stuck trying to make similar decisions. I usually go with whichever has the least chatter in the fields OR the better lettering. Hard to tell on the photos but I would probably pick the newer one.
While the obverse photo is a little blurry, it looks as if the coin on the right is in slightly better condition.
I would not waste my time deciding over which one to pick. In my opinion they are so close it is not worth the effort. Either one will do for a circulated set.
They are very close but the right coin is a little better for details. I think I’d leave the left one that you found in the fifties in you album. That coin has history that you can relate to. I’d definitely save the right coin as well.
I like them both, but the one on the right seems to have a scratch on the shoulder and a nick on the rim at the 630 mark.
I like the looks of your 50’s find coin more. Whether it’s the lighting or not, it appears that the sun is shining on Monticello on that coin where the other is a cold and cloudy day. Plus, you have history with your 50’s find.
They're really dang close, but I prefer your 1950s find (the left coin) very slightly. The coin on the right has that hairline scratch on the shoulder that @dwhiz mentioned. It's not a major detraction, but it's there. Besides, the one on the left has slightly better detail of the doors and windows inside the portico of Monticello. (That, and you've had it all this time.) Both are nice circulation finds, regardless. Really, it's amazing how close they are to each other.
The coin on the left is a VF-25 or 30. The one on the right has a much better obverse and is an EF-40. I’d put that one in your set.