Picked this up in last week's Heritage auction. Their photos showed a nice coin that would be a good upgrade for my Type Set. When I got the coin yesterday, I was stunned by its beauty in hand. Neither the HA photos nor my own attempts (attached) can really capture the luster, flash and eye appeal of this coin. Admittedly, the coin displays some "tired-die" syndrome at the dentils and the obverse K3-5 stars. But there are very few hits on the coin and they are not visible to the naked eye. Liberty's effigy is colored a steel-grey with red tints in the low areas around the letters. This contrasts with the lustery reddish-brown fields to present an almost cameo-like appearance. The reverse is no less appealing. When I looked at it, I couldn't help but wonder why this was graded 64. I've seen many much worse 64s and 65s that wouldn't be nearly as nice as this one. Am I only indulging in "I own this coin" prejudice? I'd be happy to hear your opinions even if you think I'm fantasizing.
I agree that this is an attractive coin. In terms of grade... that is definitely a high end 64. The biggest things that I can think might hold it back from 65: the weak strike doesn't tend to get rewarded, and might be seen as a negative. More significantly, however, both your pictures and the pictures I saw on Heritage seem to show somewhat weak luster. You need strong luster to get a gem grade. Either way, still an attractive coin with nice color.
After I posted, I went and reread my Eckberg on this issue. I trust Bill won't mind me quoting: "Despite being extremely common in UNC, it is nearly impossible to find an example that has fully struck border beads. It is almost always very weak in the lower right obverse quadrant. Even some proofs, such as the Breen plate coin, are incompletely struck in that area. Finding an UNC in full red is not a challenge. Finding one with full border beads is all but impossible."
Thanks for everyone's thoughts on this coin. You have successfully brought me back to Earth while not diminishing my pleasure in the coin.