CAC or the next grade up?

Here is what I think:

Both coins are older holders and solid for the grade
Coin #1 is MS-65 without CAC
Coin #2 is MS-64 with CAC

I would probably go for Coin #1 as I think it is solid for MS-65 and would probably pass if sent to CAC. Coin #2 while solid for a 64, the reverse has a little too much chatter for my liking. Morgans are pretty easy to find with really nice reverses, it's also the reverse that possibly held it back from a Gold CAC.

 

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I think coin #1 is the higher grade w/o CAC. There's relatively too much noise in coin #2's fields. Coin #1 is the better condition regardless of the slabbed grade, IMHO.

 

From the pictures I'd go coin 1

 

Looking at these two coins, I agree with your assessment, jtlee. Coin 1 has better eye appeal, so I'd choose that.

 

That's probably the better of the ideas unless the grade looks a little off. A CAC, let's remember, means that CAC'd grade isn't the next highest grade. It's like saying, "I mean it, I mean it, I mean it, I mean it," after the grade.

 

Just reading this now - to me both coins are nice. Coin 2 looks to have a better strike and shows more luster (could just be the pictures). But for some reason the eagle chest bugs me on coin 2 - but still coin 2 for me.

 

So...

It seems to me (based on this very non-scientific thread), that a CAC seems to be saying, yes, this coin is graded X, but could be a Y (Y being the next grade up).

I also thought it was interesting how both had eye appeal for different folks.

The 2 coins I used as an example both sold on GC about 5 yrs ago. It wasn't very easy to find 2 coins to suit the hypothetical question, and I would have preferred if coin #1 was not in an OGH, but it is what it is.

I may start looking for the grade down with CAC when shopping, as I am usually looking for a (specific) grade (I think that makes sense how I said that).

Selling prices were $148,50 and $160.59 (including buyer's premium), respectively.

Coin #1 -



Coin #2 -


Thanks to all who responded/participated!

 

From the pictures coin 1 looks like it might even be a solid 65 and would sticker at 65 (not a 66 so no gold CAC) while coin 2 looks like an average 65 (and might or might not sticker). I would pick coin 1 over 2 regardless of the holder.

 

I got the grades and CAC reversed, but in the end, I knew coin #1 was the better coin, even though the plastic says otherwise. Funny, even knowing the grades, I'd pick the first coin everyday of the week all day long over the second coin. That 1900-O PCGS I think could go gold if sent in with the right material. I have no doubts that it would CAC as a 65. Nice exercise!!

 

I had two NGC graded 1916-D Walking Liberty Half Dollars. They were twins. One was MS-62 and the other MS-63 that I was selling at the same price. The MS-62 sold first. The guy bought the coin, not the plastic.

 

Coin 1 is a 64 because of the cheek. There are minute hairlines running near vertically. Hairlines are the kiss of death.