I have an attractive (in my eyes) 1938-s which at first glance, I'd call a MS-66RED or better, but the obverse has stripey marks from the upper left extending downwards and to the right. I'm wondering how much that'd affect the grade. Also, I'm wondering if the richness and eye appeal result in higher grades for "RED" specimens. Anyone know?
Eye appeal will affect the grade. I feel your coin will go 65 or 66. It needs really nice luster to get to 66. Going from 66 to 67 is a big jump and takes really great luster.
That's what's intriguing... the gap between 66 and 67. I acquired several MS 1938-s a while back, sent one to ANACS that came back as MS66RED, and that one isn't as "pretty" as this one. (I didn't sent the pretty one because the one sent was supposed to be a FS-502 variety. It wasn't).
Very nice looking Cent. Those marks may be an improperly mixed alloy. It will knock the grade down to a 64 or 65. Welcome to CT.
The definition of a Brown coin is a copper coin that contains 5% Red surfaces or less, but its surfaces are mostly Brown. The definition of a Red Brown copper coin is a coin that contains from 5% to 95% Red surfaces. The definition of a Red coin is a coin that has at least 95% Red and up to 100% Red surfaces the coin imaged I believe will still get RD. My avatar picture 1915P would fall into RB I also believe and isn't 95% red.