Could be a nice toned MS64 fbl.....but the pics are not good enough to say this clear. Plus there is a scratch obverse in the left field.
i think it is AU 58, probably not what you want to hear, but this is an original naturally beautiful toned coin, forget the numbers on the label, you have an awesome coin.
I think its probably 63FBL, but I can't see the top left quadrant of the lines well enough to be sure. The obverse toning is quite attractive.
I am conflicted between 63 and AU58 because I am not sure if those scuff marks on the high points are actually scuff marks, or wear. If I were pressed to decide which of these 2 grades to select, I would go with AU58.
Thank you all for the opinions. To me this looked like a nicely toned BU Franklin (I was thinking 63 and no FBL). It does have scratches and some marks, but I've seen worse in PCGS/NGC 63-65 holders. I'm glad Anacs considered the toning natural, but the grade...well that's another story...
They were rough on that bad boy, in my honest opinion. There's a little rub, but not so much the market graders aren't forgiving, these days. You know this much, you don't let that one go at AU55 money. I hope you know that, anyway. Sometimes these overpaid "market" graders get a little confused on whether they're grading on condition or for the market.
Yes I'm definitely not letting go of this one at AU 55 levels. I'm almost certain that someone would pounce on it and I'd see it offered in a new PCGS 63 or 64 holder. This was one of the coins that I used in the extra spaces of my Franklin Dansco. I still like it just the same and will likely hold on to it as is.
I think what they interpreted as wear, I interpreted as breaks in the toning (due to contact with an envelope, for example). In hand, is there actual flattening on the high points? It is really hard to tell in your slightly-out-of-focus pictures.
Pretty coin! I was going to guess 63 but late to the party; very tough to gauge surfaces and luster on a richly toned coin. Fun to play, though
Your explanation is what I think happened. I don't believe there is any flattening on the high points; it is more like small breaks in the toning.