GTG: 1907-D Liberty Double Eagle

(Ex post facto/reveal-o) I confess to being lousy at grading gold - but thankfully I have have lots of company. I gave this an MS-64 w/o apology.

 

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I was at a 61. The major brush under and across her cheek was to distracting.

 

Thank you for your service.

 

This one is graded MS-64.

 

Likely a 64 plus under today's grading... very close to gem. (I've seen less attractive pieces grade inflated into gem holders so you might be surprised if you ever regrade it.)

 

Yes, I know about what today’s MS-65, $20 Liberty look like from the photos. In the old days, they were super smooth and always expensive, even for the super common 1904. The coins from the Heritage auction on a previous page tell a different story.

 

Late to the party, but I had the coin at MS-63.

Santini makes a good point: the Liberty's get a bit of short shrift compared to the SG's. There's something to be said for a simple design on the obverse -- just Liberty's head/face -- as opposed to all the "clutter" on the SG (Liberty full-bodied, torch, vines, Capitol, etc.).

And the Eagle on the back doesn't look like a "grilled squab" to me. Not as majestic as the reverse of the SG, but I've seen worse.

 

If you look at the coin there are very distinct light abrasions across the cheek they originate in the field, When I started collecting this was a clear AU coin period, at that point you don't have to bring in the eye appeal and contact. You only judged it off the amount of luster and eye appeal. Dull appearance goes to 55.
It used to be easy.

 

Yes, I see that now that you mention it....are you saying they are the SAME light abrasions (start in field, move up to higher points on devices/face) or are they SEPARATE strikes in each ?

And regardless of whether the same or separate...could they both be bag marks and thus the coin maintains a shot at an MS grade ?

You're saying bag marks once upon a time...under strict technical grading...made getting an MS grade impossible ?

 

Those are abrasions from light circulation and not bag marks IMO, MS60, 61, and 62 used to be reserved for extremely baggy coins. They now seem to be a spot for nicer looking AU coins.

There are plenty of coins that don't show this kind of contact and are MS coins.