Here is another coin that's not a Morgan. Please guess the grade. Bonus points will be awarded for using the SLEC method (not required though)!
It's nice to see some other coins coming up for these GTG's. I admit, that most of mine are Morgan's but I hope to change that in the future. Strike: 66 Luster: 66 Eye Appeal: 65 Surface Condition: 64 obverse 63 reverse Net to 63 Overall grade: I would put this at a 64 because of the chatter on the surfaces. Had it had some color like a lot of these come with, it could have been bumped to a 65.
Well here's one you don't see all that often. Strike: 65. These are tricky, because they are intentionally made with soft images. I'm judging the strike based on the amount of high point pitting, which is a key indicator of a weakish strike. Luster: 66. It appears bright, but not flashy. It looks like attractive luster. Eye Appeal: 66. If you like the blast white look, this coin is for you. I prefer a bit more color or patina, but I know a lot of people like them like this. Contact marks: 65. A few in the hair, a couple of minor ticks in the fields - but there are a ton of ticks on the sails. Now, there is some debate over how to treat these in the grading room. The common practice at the TPG's is to forgive them as an artifact of a weaker strike. I, personally, think they should detract from the grade. Lehigh and I have debated this many times before on his Jeffersons, and there just won't ever be a consensus. So, I wouldn't be surprised with a 66 from PCGS. I personally like it better at 65+
By the way, I used to own an ICG MS 65 with some nice color (I did sell it when I decided to clear out some of my Commemoratives). @physics-fan3.14 is this one you would like more?
Well I certainly don't see any machine damage in your pictures! That's not what I expected.... And yes, 100% I like the eye appeal of the second one significantly more. That obverse is quite attractive.
I actually like ships as well. One of my earlier ideas was to build a set of all the classic commemoratives with ship designs. Unfortunately, I gave up on that idea since some are a bit pricey. Take a look though at the series and you can find quite a few affordable examples with ships on them.
What on earth??? Are they calling the machine damage inside the mint (like wheel marks) or outside the mint (pmd)?? I dont see anything except maybe up by liberty on the obverse. The E-R area especially. Have you investigated the reeding for any clues?? Also, if you were to contact PCGS would they give any further explanation possibly?
Well, I'm shocked. Usually "machine damage" means the coin went through a counting machine and the rubber coated wheels put some striations across one side or the other. I ain't seeing 'em. I also like the ICG coin much more than this one, in terms of eye appeal.
Wheel marks, maybe? I'd have to see it in hand to see that, though. They are pretty much invisible until you get just the right light on them. Lower hair on the obverse could be where they are, but that's a guess. I'd have guessed 64 for the grade.
I'll take a closer look and report back if I see anything. I might also crack it for my Dansco, so maybe I'll see something when it is raw. By the way, I'm not the one who sent it to PCGS, so I don't think they would be able to help with this coin (or even remember it).
Yes when I hear this term, I usually think of something like this (not mine, just found the pic online):
I call graded coins like these bargains. I recently bought this one at a good discount. I cracked it out, put it in an airtite and it has a nice spot in my tray.
