I am considering 2 examples. One is an earlier date in AU55 and the other is a last year coin in AU58. The earlier date has a lower mintage total. Prices from the dealers are almost the same. Leaning towards the earlier date in lower grade. Thoughts?
I’d look at the strike and pick the one with superior eye appeal and fully struck stars (if either of them has them.)
Here’s two of my type coins of these in XF45. Much as I like the toning on the second, the strike bugs me and I’ll likely replace it when a superior example comes along.
Love the first. The second is OK, but the toning, while colorful, is a tad heavy for my taste. (Don't even get me started on my rant about NGC's ghastly, intrusive white prongs, which are a pet peeve. LOL) Looks like some critter took four bites out of the edge of your coin... .
As to the main topic of this thread, and the author's question, I couldn't even begin to formulate an answer without seeing pictures.
Yes, that W/ Motto type has been my nemesis with this set for some reason. I just can’t seem to find one that checks every box... she’ll come around eventually. Ms. Prongerton will do for now.
This. Eye appeal always trumps technical grade, to my way of thinking. I'd rather have a handsome VF35 coin with pizzazz than an ugly AU50 or boring XF40.
