I’m looking to learn- What’s the grade of this ‘65 Kennedy half?

SenateSaloon

I want to learn more about grading. Who wants to offer an opinion about the grade of this 1965 Kennedy half dollar and tell me what stands out to lead them to that conclusion.

It’s from the 1965 SMS set. Only handled with cloth gloves. Very clean overall. Has an apparent scratch on Kennedy’s cheek, a small surface spot in the field near the “t” and “y” on the obverse, and a small dark spot on the edge of the reverse above the “e” of United.

This is from curiosity about grading, I’m not worried about value. Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.

thisistheshow

I'm not a grading expert.
But I like to help.

These pics all look quite different. I might be wrong, so someone else correct me please, but you should start by making sure the pictures reflect the way the coin looks in hand. I think that would help with grading.

AUandAG

Can we get pics without so much light? Scratch on nose/cheek will be a limiting factor for sure. Reverse looks PL but not so sure about obverse.
bob

SenateSaloon

@AUandAG said:
Can we get pics without so much light? Scratch on nose/cheek will be a limiting factor for sure. Reverse looks PL but not so sure about obverse.
bob

I’m limited by my photographic skills but both sides shine like mirrors (PL) so I’m finding it very hard to take a picture. I’ve added a more recent circulated Kennedy for comparison.

TomB

If the mark on JFK's cheek is truly a scratch, and not a strikethrough, it would render the coin worth essentially bullion. In this case, that would be in the $2.70 range. I realize you are asking about grade and not value, but that hit is going to really limit any grade and, hence, value.

SenateSaloon

@TomB said:
If the mark on JFK's cheek is truly a scratch, and not a strikethrough, it would render the coin worth essentially bullion. In this case, that would be in the $2.70 range. I realize you are asking about grade and not value, but that hit is going to really limit any grade and, hence, value.

Thanks. I generally know what a strike through is, but how can one tell? For a scratch it looks mysteriously smooth. I suppose back to needing better photos. Thanks for your help.

Hemispherical

https://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#/Kennedy/Grades

ricko

The glare on the pictures makes it really tough.... I do not know much about coin photography (a classic understatement)...However, I have heard people here discuss light filters...You may want to try that to limit the glare. Cheers, RickO

291fifth

Grading SMS or Proof coins by photographs is extremely difficult. Yours is an SMS (Special Mint Set) coin. Coins like this really have to seen in hand.

291fifth

@Attumra said:
I have a few of these GEM like highly reflective Kennedys I got off eBay. I was wondering if it was possible that people dip the coins in what ever metal to cover up old scratches etc. and call it PL? Is that even possible?

NO.

cheezhed

67

SenateSaloon

Thanks for the input.

BillJones

@cheezhed said:
67

Really? Did you miss the deep scratch on the face?

My grade would be Uncirculated sharpness, scratched with some probable environmental damage from spots and the patch of what appears to be corrosion in first obverse photo, second photo in the hair.

DFrohman

I would give it an MS-72 (or possibly even the unheard of MS-73 with that luster)!
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crazyhounddog

I’d like to help but I couldn’t render a guess with these pics. But if I was forced I would go along with @BillJones .

SenateSaloon

Here are some closeup photos. Not sure they’ll help with grading but here goes. Includes closeup of the scar on Kennedy’s cheek (maybe a strike through or other problem during minting- doesn’t look like a scratch but not sure) and a neat “string” on the reverse. How could that string/thread be part of the coin?

bombtech25

Plated?

Hemispherical

This looks like a strikethrough wire or string-like something.

Kind of looks like an edge/reeding hit from another coin.

IMO

SenateSaloon

@bombtech25 said:
Plated?

Not plated. I personally removed it from the 1965 SMS set last week. Color is off in photo due to lighting.

cladking

@TomB said:
If the mark on JFK's cheek is truly a scratch, and not a strikethrough, it would render the coin worth essentially bullion. In this case, that would be in the $2.70 range. I realize you are asking about grade and not value, but that hit is going to really limit any grade and, hence, value.

These are going for $4.50 each (wholesale) right now.

This specimen is hardly remarkable but it is lightly frosted and should go MS-65 with a little luck.

I think it could get a little premium from the right buyer.

thisistheshow

@DFrohman
I learned a lot reading through your Ike thread and the links that were there. This thread could do the same for someone else.

@DFrohman said:
I would give it an MS-72 (or possibly even the unheard of MS-73 with that luster)!
.
.

I think comments like this are unnecessary.