I've had this coin since the late 80's when I bought it a a B&M auction. Bowers described it (more or less) as follows: untoned (or bright maybe, I don't remember), reflective surfaces, with a hairline or two in front to the bust, otherwise free of marks. I've had her sitting on a tray on and off for decades....this is what she looks like today. Some peripheral toning has developed and the surfaces have become less bright over the years. As mentioned, the surfaces are reflective and free of traces of cleaning. BUT, there is a hairline in front of the bust, mostly visible if you look at it at an angle. Quite a nice coin, in fact. With all that said, how would you grade her today?
With the west I’m seeing on the eagle feathers and claws and on Liberty’s hair I’d be at a XF-45, maybe AU-50. Very nice looking coin and free of marks.
I believe I see a very weak strike on both obverse and reverse. I think it's strike and not wear because I don't see any evidence of luster break on the high points. Of course, I really can't determine luster from these photos so my first statement is a bit of a flier. So, out on a limb I go: MS-64 I think this is one of those coins where an "in-hand" evaluation is required. I am excited to see where others go with this one. Thanks @Eduard for posing another delicious coin pastry.
I'd grade it EF-45, maybe AU-50, depending upon the luster. Given "grade-flation" it's probably an AU for sure now. NGC graded this one AU-58 over 20 years ago. I bought this raw from JJ Teaparty when the company was in Boston over 30 years ago. NGC overgraded this one EF-45. I knew it was overgraded when I bought it, but I didn't feel like spending years to find the "right one." I wanted the date because no cents were produced in 1815, and I wanted one coin from each year from 1793 to date. This one filled the hole. My grade is VF-30. The mint had not issued a quarter since 1807 when they made this coin. The story is a New Orleans bank wanted quarters for some reason. Most banks wanted half dollars. They really wanted dollars, but the mint had stopped issuing those in 1804.
I would have to know more about what kind of strikes are typical for this year, but my initial (no books consulted) is a VF-35. James
