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How Important is the top of the shield when grading Kennedy Halves?

haletjhaletj Posts: 2,192 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
For example, if you have a Kennedy Half that looks ms66-67ish everywhere except for a scrape on the top of the shield on the reverse, what would that grade? Can a Kennedy ever grade gem with a mark/line/scrape on the shield?

Comments

  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    The shield is critical, and 5 is the top for a coin with a scrape. Let me guess, 71 P? image

    BTW - David Lange has noted that there was a problem with the sealing machine used in the early 70's.
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
  • haletjhaletj Posts: 2,192 ✭
    Yep 71-P and some other dates (a 98-p?). I'm working on a gem raw set. Mostly I just care about having really nice looking coins but I do want all coins to technically be ms65 or better. Actaully I broke a 87-p out of a pcgs ms66 slab and it had a minor scratch on the shield too.
  • CarlWohlforthCarlWohlforth Posts: 11,074 ✭
    I haven't seen any with perfect shields. I recently went through a set of PCGS MS 66s and the top of every shield had some tick or hit. I don't remember any that I would say had a scrape, I was looking for the best ones rather than the worst one. There were several 67s. Only 2 or 3 coins were almost mark free in that spot.
    Carl's Coins website w/ links to Carl's auctions
  • mdwoodsmdwoods Posts: 5,554 ✭✭✭
    A small mark on the shield will drop the grade 1 point in my opinion.
    National Register Of Big Trees

    We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Here's a nice shield.

    image

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    Haletj,

    Some time in your travels, look at the change in shield size and design over the years. BTW - The bust changed size several times before it was retooled to the low-relief design. (hint - the early years had a fatter head image )
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
  • techefftecheff Posts: 2,285
    This shield ain't bad...

    image
    image
  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    Cool. My best 71-P graded on invoice 337326. I like those early 70's coins. image
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
  • fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    The shield on the 1996-D I made in 67 is spotless. I'm not a Kennedy expert, but I think it is a critical area being just about in the center.

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's the high point on the reverse and is relatively flat so readily shows marks. All of
    the clad Kennedies are available with a clean shield if your standards aren't too high.
    The 80-D is likely the toughest and is plagued by scrapes. This coin does show up
    fairly clean in rolls but rarely with a nice strike.
    Tempus fugit.
  • haletjhaletj Posts: 2,192 ✭
    Thanks everyone, esp DHeath's comments. I have a few with nice shields, but I'll have to look closer, esp at my 80-d.

    Carl: I almost bought some Kennedys from you off ebay, but I don't like paying for the grading fee. Do you ever have raw ones for sale at prices minus grading fees? How about any other coins after 64, or even back to 34 on cents, nickels and dimes?

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