Indians are struck with the design element incused (pressed in) rather than raised like all our other coins. So then the design is not worn at typical high spots like any other coin. You have to dispense with all your coin grading cues when looking at an Indian. I love them and own many, but I can’t feel confident in grading them unless I am holding them in hand.
For learning, I have a question on how you choose 64 instead of 65. 65 in the ANA guide says small blemishes and bag marks and surface abrasions are allowed. I sure don't see any more than that. But I'm FAR from an expert yet. It is better than 63, which says noticeable detracting contact marks. They aren't particularly noticeable. So maybe it's good to conservatively go between 65 and 63 like you say.
I have a better than average one and it works very well for my need. Keeps me from guessing to often.
I am looking at photos on a phone. When I do that I try to be conservative. Most are better than I am with photos. This is my MS63. From what I can glean in your photo, the design elements appear sharper than mine so I felt it deserves a tad higher grade. I can’t see bag marks looking on my phone. If they are minor then they shouldn’t affect the grade. If they are noticeable, they may detract a point..... It’s a subjective thing, much like viewing art (which I don’t do).... And when all is said and done, a 1908 No Motto is a common date. Unless you can get into MS67 or better, the value is really not effected.
The '26 quarter eagle has a very nice strike! I like it better than the '08 as far as grading goes. Hard to tell a grade from the photos.
It seems weird to me that these coins aren't worth much more than the gold value. I guess they are THAT common.
I believe it has more to do with gold being so high. Comes a time when numismatic value and intrinsic value collide.
Incuse means the lettering, motto, etc. are 'stamped" into the coin rather than raised like most coins.
