Just added a '21 to my collection last week. Picked up a nice AU example at a price I couldn't resist. I saw MS certified examples at Coinfest that couldn't hold a candle to the coin that I purchased. You own this Lady Thad? She sure has character........
my point was that given the choice I would rather have a well-struck attractive AU coin than an ugly low-end uncirculated coin
I agree that a AU58 can outshine a low grade MS all the time and I would much rather have one. But, most MS64s are pretty clean...it's the MS60s and 61s that get blown away by the AU58s. That being said, the 1921 Peace Dollar is a very hard coin to grade...they are high relief and prone to poor striking. So, a MS example can look worn. I think this is a great coin where an AU58 would be an excellent coin to look for.
With all the fakes out there, one of these things raw makes me very nervous. Do a search on fleabay for replica 1921 peace dollar. Take one of the chinese fakes, dirty it up a little bit and you can hide a multitude of diagnostics. I'm not saying this one is fake, but a good price + all marked = I would be a nervous buyer. Some things to be said about the fakes, they come to the US without replica or copy stamped on them and they can fool many people. The sources of the coins can seem legit because some of the second tier owners are not aware that the coins might be fake. I saw a bunch of these at a flea market last year along with a ton of other fake peace dollars, morgans and other larger silver counterfeit coins. They were pretty darn good and they were about the right weight. I am not saying anything against this particular coin and as much as I am not a slab nut, I wouldn't buy one of these raw. Have Fun, Bill
Bill, This one came out of the old collection, same as the counterfeit Morgan. Honestly, I'm not sure if it's fake but I'd be surprized as this is a very, very old coin. Ebay didn't exist when this coin was stored away circa 1940's.