*** Answers Posted *** Peace dollar grading - A few to GTG

BryceM

There have been a few threads lately about Peace dollar grading. It seems so simple...... but it isn't always so easy. I still own some of these, but not all of them. If you can guess all of them correctly, I'll be impressed. After this goes a bit, I'll add my comments about each coin. All of them were in PCGS holders when photographed.

jughead1893

64,64,65,66,64,64

mannie gray

65
65
67
67- (66+)
64
64+
Great coins!

Jimnight

Nice peace dollars! ... If they're yours 66 or better on them all.

Walkerguy21D

I love that toner 21 and the 34S!

ricko

Too much effort for me this morning.... but I do like that first '21.....Cheers, RickO

ironmanl63

64
63
66
64
64
64

CoinJunkie

"This is not my series" would be a gross understatement, but I'll give it a whirl:

64
63+
64+
66
65
64

They're all very nice, regardless of assigned grade.

jerseycat101

64
63
67
66
65
64

rip_f

Beautiful group!
I guess: 64; 63; 65; 65; 64; 64

Hope you still have the 34s - great condition rarities.

jedm

Wow- tough to do, but here goes:
64
64
66+
66
64
65
Super nice examples - every one!

• edited to have a second look at the last two....

1630Boston

65
65
66
66
67
67

Smudge

64
65
65
66
65
65

Mercury

64
64
66
67
64
65

BryceM

Good input so far. I'll post the grades tonight, along with my take on each coin.

ChrisH821

64
58/62
66
65
65
64(but better struck than the 65)

DollarAfterDollar

AU 58
AU 53
MS 65+
MS64
MS 63
MS64

BryceM

OK, Here's the goods:

This coin used to fill the spot of the 1921 in an earlier version of my registry set, before I found one I liked better. The coin is a decent 65, but failed to sticker and I see it as an accurately graded 65 "C" coin. The spots are likely old dip residue and negatively impact eye appeal. Strike and luster are both good (for a 21), and there aren't too many hits. It's possible that conservation would actually help the coin (and its value). I sold it.

I bought this a couple of years ago because I'm powerless to resist a nice 21. This is a fun coin. It's not so expensive, but it always stands out and makes you look. The dealer who sold it to me said he acquired it raw in a bullion sale, which is pretty darn interesting. I see this one as a technically decent coin. Strike is above average, there's only a reedmark in the hair curls, but luster is subdued. In my book this is a technical 62 for lack of luster, bumped up to 63 for outstanding eye appeal, which is natural-appearing to me and apparently the graders at PCGS and CAC.

Oh, this coin I actually miss quite a bit. The 1924 sometimes comes with a granular, frosty look that I suppose is the result of a late die state. Detail is good enough. Luster is off-the-charts FLASHY and FROSTY. I bought this as a 66+ CAC and it upgraded to a 67. It wouldn't re-sticker, but I can't see why not. If offered to me, I might buy it back. If this was a Morgan, it would be an easy 68. To me this is a 67 "B" coin.

This coin.......is a grading conundrum. I've never seen such a clean, well-struck portrait on a mid-date Peace dollar. At the same time, luster is there, but satiny - not flashy. It might be an early die state. I dunno. The reedmark/hit on the eagle's body above the leg is the only significant hit other than some chatter on the neck truncation. I think this coin is graded OK, but it might look better in a 5+ holder. It isn't a strong 66, since in my book a coin like that really needs nice luster. If it was in a 65+ holder, I bet it still wouldn't sticker. It just doesn't look like most other Peace dollars..... but, oh, look at that cheek. You've gotta reward that somehow..... Coins don't all take the same pathway to get the same grade.

Funny, I don't really miss this coin. It's really nice, but the soft strike really bugged me. I don't like 5-figure coins in my collection that bug me. There are better coins at the same grade. The reverse is pretty darn clean and the portrait has nothing bad..... but there are a few frost breaks & light scuffs along the jawline. I bought this as a 65 CAC and it upgraded to a 65+ CAC before I sold it. That was a pleasant surprise.

This coin is a "butterface". It'd be a real nice coin..... butter face is gashed. Well, you can't be too picky when you're shopping for an MS 34-S on a budget. This is one of 4 or 5 I've owned. Currently, I have none. The rim toning is eye-appeal neutral to me (but most dollar guys like white coins). Strike is average and much better than the coin above. Luster is a little more subdued than the 65+. In actuality, this photo technique accentuates the gash more than it should. It's really more of a luster break and it almost goes away if you rotate it just right. As for grade, it's a gem, minus a cheek problem, so MS64 CAC seems just right. Same coin:

Jimnight

Nice!

1630Boston

Nice coins.tough to figure the grades if you don't do it often.
congrats on nice Peace Dollars.

CoinJunkie

I did far better than I expected to. My most egregious miss was on the 1924 where I guessed 64+ (actual grade: 67). I think I mistook the toning for surface porosity. Thanks for posting these, Bryce. Very educational.

ChrisH821

Very nice, thanks for the explanations!

DollarAfterDollar

Wow, I was off by a mile. Glad Peace dollars aren't my thing, I'd go hungry.

messydesk

I was close on these -- 64, 63, 66, 66, 65, 64. Missed the 21 in 65 and 24 in 67.

morgansforever

Love them all and the imaging is top shelf too. I wouldn't expect anything else coming from Bryce M.

alohagary

Very educational

TurtleCat

It was very helpful to see what high end peace dollars might look like. I note that most of them seem the satiny finish of earlier die strikes. I wonder if a chrome luster look peace could grade that high?

jedm

This was fun, challenging, and educational. Thanks for putting in the effort to make it a great thread!