Just to shift away a bit from all these coins in the MS 60's I'm interested in your opinions. These are two 1931 50 cent pieces The one on the right is slightly higher in grade but it's damaged. If you could only keep one, which would you choose.
The piece on the left looks more original, has better eye appeal. ANACS might give the piece on the right a higher initial grade, but would most likely give it a lower 'NET' grade because it is damaged and has been cleaned.
I also like the one on the left and there doesn't appear to be very much difference in grade between the two. The one on the left definitely has more eye-appeal.
This has been very interesting. I have the advantage of having the coin in front of me but there is a definite difference in grade - the detail in the eye, the band of the crown and the detail in the robe, but even more the reverse shown in this new scan. - the damaged coin is on the right.I have enjoyed your comments and I think you have converted me. I am trying to decide which one to put in my book and I was going for grade but I do agree the lower grade coin is more appealing.
Seeing the reverse, I agree now that there is a big difference in grade, but my vote is still for the undamaged coin as being more desireable.
It's pretty common for coins in this series to have weakly struck reverses. The reverse on the left is the minimum I could accept as a collectable piece and I would choose it over the piece on the right even though the right piece has better detail.
