What's the grade?

This is a nickel I just picked up in a coin shop for just under $4.

It has some minor issues but those aside it's a nice looking coin with three full steps. It has a nice sheen that is hard to make out in the photo.

How would you grade this coin?

Thanks

Darryl

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/USS656/1944PObv.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/USS656/1944PRev.jpg

 

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Definately an unc, I think.
As for the numbers, I'll let someone else opine.

 

Thanks Frank - I'll be interested to see what others assign as a number!

 

Looks pretty nice to me. However it is hard to give a accurate grade without having the coin up close and personal.

MS64-65, maybe.

What problems did you notice with this coin?

 

What I notice are the following:

On the obverse:

• The small carbon spot on Jefferson's shoulder
• A couple small dings on his cheak and chin
• Some very-very faint lines only seen at 30X just left of the date

On the Reverse:

• Two minor dings on Monticello
• The ding on the mint mark - it's the most significant on the coin - and it's still pretty minor
• A minor ding in a flat area above monticello

On the Rim:

• Discoloration normal for a coin that spent long period in a paper roll
• Some smallllll dings on the Obv.

The steps are normal for coins from the mint during that period and I'm happy it has three full. The luster looks really good but not quite great.

That about sums up what I see.

Hope that answers your question - thanks for the grade and I agree this is hard to judge without seeing the coin in hand but I'm still very interested to hear what others think. :thumb:

 

Thats a very nice Nickel Darryl. I believe I'd have to give it an MS64 just looking at the picture. As coins go, I'm sure it looks better in hand.

 

Thanks Indianhead - it's a nice addition to my little group.

 

Any sign of an RPM?

I would grade around MS63/4. The carbon spot is what my eye is drawn to...so that would kick it down a bit for me.
Great coin!! I like it!!

Also I think that at 30x you are seeing "too much"! I hope you don't use that glass for grading

Speedy

 

Good question on the RPM - will check later!

Thanks Speedy - I agree that the carbon spot is the biggest negative. It's not as big as the picture makes it out to be but it's there none the less. I do have to keep that grading issue in mind. It's so easy to look at a blown up picture and form an opinion - Thanks :thumb:

 

Ms-63...

 

Thanks Ben!!!

 

I`m with speedy on this .... 63/64

10X is more than than enough unless you are looking for hard to see RPM`s, Slight doubling, or VAMS.....

 

Thanks - No doubling BTW.

 

I'm not good at grading uncirculated coins. The surfaces are pretty good but the rim is a little beat-up to attain a high grade. Maybe MS62.