Comparison of Two US 1809 Half Cents - Same Die Variety

Here is something that caused me to use a number of bad words.
Two coins that are the same die variety but not quite the same grade.
I think I know why they look different and hence the difference in grade..

Which do you like better?

 

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Door #1 for me.

 

+1 for sure

 

pic #1 is way nicer

 

Make that x4.

 

Me too - door no 1

 

I'm with you all on pure appearance.
So why did #2 get the higher grade?

I think it's because #2 is a VERY late die state.
According to The Half Cent Die State Book by Ronald P. Manley, Ph.D.:

"State 3.0
Obverse: Die is reground and repolished. Dentilation is gone. LI is weaker. Hair curls above the ribbon are weaker, less defined."

And the description of the Reverse is pretty much the same.
I read that to mean the dies had gone through a lot by this time in their lives.
So the coin graded AU-50 based on the history of the dies in State 3.0.
OR
PCGS had a bad grading day.

 

@kanga do you have the PCGS coin? There are complete denticles on the reverse where supposed weakness is showing. I still think it is a late die state. Just maybe something else going on.

 

I like the first one better because it has less environmental damage

 

Yep, they are both mine.
Took me a while to ID the AU-50 coin.
The late die state makes it rough to do.

 

Regardless of die state, I think the first grade would receive a higher EAC net grade.