"What did it look like when graded?", asked the curious copper collector falling down the ratings..... Heck if I know. I grade the coin 64 as is, but think it resides in a 65 slab and has since darkened a bit.
In hand, the coin looks a lot redder and not quite so blotchy. It has a dead solid strike and very minimal ticks. Sorry about the dust on the slab. If the grading were just based on those factors, I could easily see a 67. However, luster and eye appeal are also factors. The luster is acceptable, but not great. The eye appeal is actually much better in hand. Regardless, NGC gave it a 65. Maybe not the strongest 65 I have, but I think it makes it to a 65.