GTG 1892 Columbian Half Dollar

My latest acquisition:

 

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I'm not sure what to think about the mark across the obverse. Pretty coin. Wild guess AU58.

 

Is that mark enough to turn the coin into a DETAILS coin?

 

That's a nice toner! Some of these have wild color. If that is a scratch on the obv, I'll guess Unc details. Otherwise MS62

 

It doesn't look like a mint error, I'll tell you that.

 

It looks AU-something-or-other to me. But have you seen AU Columbians? This is one I think that's going to market grade well in excess of those, scratch or no scratch.

 

MS-61 because of the long scratch on the obverse. It could also be a "no grade" or "details grade" because of that.

The color is interesting, but you find this one these coins because a fair number of them were sold in little leather coverings.

 

Without this scratch MS66
But with this scratch downgraded at MS64

 

Scratching for a grade , I 'll grade a MS details. If that exists .

 

A nice looking AU-58 with pretty toning. But that scratch, if that's what it is, is pretty severe and is right in the focal zones. I think it graded AU-Details.

 

MS 63

 

I'm guessing it is either not a scratch or PCGS felt it was market acceptable (occasionally even scratches are glossed over-maybe with the penalty being a slightly lower "net" grade).

 

I downloaded the image and blew it up as much as I could. I'm now thinking it is not a scratch since I really don't see any displaced metal. And if a scratch, you would think you would see displaced metal where the mark crosses the E of UNITED. So, I'm now thinking it's some kind of a toning mark? Anyway, I still think I see rubs on the eyebrow, cheek, nostril, first lock of hair at the temple, and bust.

I am in Quandary City with this one.

 

Details grade '64

 

That is not a scratch, it's a toning anomaly. Probably something prevented it from toning in that area (much like how a fingerprint affects toning). Look at where it crosses the 'E'.

Anyway, the coin is a solid 65, with a shot at 66.

My guess; 65 and a beautiful one at that!

 

AU-58. There are signs of wear on the cheekbone and on the ship's mainsail IMHO.

 

MS62 in spite of rub. My best guess is the mark is not a scratch.

 

AU58 I'm not sure if the mark is a scratch, the color seems to go beneath the "E".

 

The reveal?

 

I was going to reveal this yesterday but I couldn't log in till late in the day: