1921 High Relief Peace Dollar. Apx. Grade Please? Good Deal?

Caught these two photos with weak artificial light directly over the coin for good view of detail.


Caught these two photos with strong, LED artificial light with the coin tilted towards the light for good view of lustur.

... I paid $110.00 for this coin a couple of months ago. It looks to have fantastic, nearly mark free, original surfaces and does not show any signs of previous cleaning. It looks like it was originally a strong, high strike so the more elevated hair lines are worn, but I have seen mint state pieces with flatter hairlines then this coin. I thought it was a decent deal back then and I was really pleased with the coin (I am plan to upgrade to an MS63 certified piece soon). I have an idea of what the grade is but I figured I would just ask for the more experienced CoinTalkers opinions. What do you guys think the approximate grade of this coin is? Do you also think $110.00 was a good deal?

Thanks in Advance,
Brian

 

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I think it is a nice looking 1921 and from what I can tell...it's problem free. That said, I'm not going to attempt to grade it. I have found with the 1921s...they are exceptionally hard to grade in photos. This year is plagued with a poor strike which can very easily be mistake for wear. One must have the coin in hand and carefully inspect it for luster breaks to determine if it is worn or simply has a weak strike. Perhaps others will throw out a guess...but I'm not going to.

It does appear to have wear from the color of the hair over Liberty's ear...but how much, I can't really tell.

 

Yes; I agree with how the strike issue effects the difficulty of grading. 1921 Peace Dollars and Type 1 (1916 & 1917) Standing Liberty Quarters have these same issues. Thank you for the help. I myself believe it to have been a strong strike to begin with due to how much the bust is elevated off of the surface. I can try to catch a photograph of exactly how much it is, but it may not turn out quite right.

-Brian

 

Numismedia lists a 1921 in XF at $110. That looks a lot higher than XF, more like a good MS with a price tag in the high 200s

 

Aw heck, I'll make a fool of myself and go with MS-63. Nice piece.....

 

I won't take a stab at grading that either. It's difficult enough with exceptional images. I've owned 6 or 8 of these, from XF to MS66 and they're very tricky.

The luster looks impaired to me but again, that may just be the photos. I would study it carefully for hair lines and cartwheel. The '21 is special and potentially quite valuable. As such, many have been messed with. I would stick with ones already cleanly graded and holdered.

Regardless, I think $110 is a pretty good price even if it has problems. And it may not.
Lance.

 

That would be fantastic, but I really don't think it's a mint state piece. I labeled the 2x2 "AU55" but it is possible that it is an AU58 coin. Like said numerous times in this thread, these coins are tough to grade even you have it in hand. Being that I have the upper hand here having it in hand rather then everyone using these photos, I feel that it is an upper AU piece. A may just send it on a speedy run to ANACS for certification and see what they think. I'd be happy if I turned it around and it sold for $160-$170. I do plan on reselling it in a couple of weeks to put more money toward a certified MS63 piece for my "AU53/MS63 Type Set Collection".

-Brian

-Brian

 

I always liked that design on the 1921 !

 

I'll say it's AU-58 if I had to hazard a guess. In hand may look better but if it is weak strike (uncommon for a 21 Peace Dollar) on the wing then this coin could be graded MS-63. MS-63 is a "best possible" grade IMHO

FWIW, $110 is a good price for this coin. I think you did very well, regardless of AU or MS

 

Let us know how it comes back from ANACS Brian.....

 

I would love to hear how they grade it. I really think it will come back as an AU.