Reason I ask is it seems to have enhanced luster and almost PR-like numbering, lettering and image detail for a MS-strike...kind of an oddball, from the perhaps thousands in this series I've come across. Thanks.
Nice coin. I'd say MS64, only because of the hits on portrait's cheek and chin area. But since the rest of the surface is so clean, it might get 65. Now the Proof like appearance is a different matter, and if the fields do have mirror quality to them, then it's a MS64PL. Doesn't look like a full proof.
It's a tough call from the picture. It appears to be a mint set coin struck on a burnished planchet but now days you can be less sure. I could see almnost anything from 63 to 65 on it but lean toward the higher side. It is the hit on the cheek that's the wild card. Even with- out the hits it would be limited to 66 because of the strike. It is a nice coin and would have a shot at PL at NGC.
It's a "cartwheeler," just a more lustrous one. That's the first thing that stood out about it. The second thing was the quality of the numbering, lettering and image. So, I got out some of my PRs (S-DCAMs), and, sure enough, you can't differentiate these on those grounds. Here's just an example of what I'm talking about. The top numbers are typical of the '98-Ds I've seen. They're typically "flat," somewhere or other. OTOH, the bottom numbers are well-formed and jump off the coin at you. The same with the lettering, both obverse and reverse. In fact, that's mainly why I thought to inquire. I never heard of a PL '98-D. But, I do perceive there's something rather unique about this one.
Great information eddiespin thanks I learn something everyday here on coin talk. Oh and that is a great looking coin (MS63). Bob
Is it just me or does these pictures make this coin look like it's plated??? Might cause it to look different.
Matt, it's not plated. Look at those heavy flow lines in the closeups. Because of those, it cartwheels like crazy.
Cladking, the finish isn't really "rough" or "matte-like," but these are very strong flow lines. You said "mint set?" Now we might be getting somewhere. It's a thick one, too (as far as they go), and very well put together. Look at the mouth on that eagle. That's a PR-mouth.
And on a real clean, detailed die, too. But that does look like what it comes down to, Traci. Thanks. Case closed.
