I was going to say 65 but it looks like theres several hairline scratches in the top of the obverse field that would put it down to a 64 IMO
Yes, indeed a nice-looker. Have seen better strikes...lacks more netting detail (have seen almost complete) up the ship's masts for one thing. Many years ago when PCGS returned rejected coins in "body bags"...before slabbing as AU or MS "details"...I'd have been concerned with the obverse-field hairlines...someone said die polish marks and maybe so/maybe not, but have seen rejections for otherwise decent/handsome coins for less. Since it or "other" isn't an option to select from...and not sure I would with just the pics (and good ones!)...I went with a 64 but wouldn't be surprised by a 58, either, with possibly some traces..."whisps"...of very light wear across some of the sleeve wrinkles and on the hand and book corner. It's so ridiculously (too) subjective and nit-picky...makes you think you see/imagine things that aren't there sometimes. Didn't mean to write so much.
Gorgeous example and one of my favorite designs, the ship is awesome. I went with 66 just because I like it so much.
By your poll choices, I have to assume it straight graded by one of the TPG. As I've stated in the past, most classic commemoratives come in at MS65 unless there are obvious signs of wear or damage. The photos you have provided have me thinking this was an old cleaning that now was straight graded. There are more than polish lines on the obverse, in my opinion. The Philadelphia mint (the D is the designers initial, Dallin) wasn't know for minting high quality commemoratives and even MS65 is an uncommon coin, so if this was straight graded as a MS65 or higher, it was really a good buy. The 1921 Pilgrim is the rare one. Just my thoughts on the coin.
Spoiler: Click here when you're ready to see the answer. The coin is straight-graded by NGC in an early "No-Line Fattie" holder. .
