The strike is excellent, the luster (from what I can discern from the pictures) looks to be fabulous. I do notice the marks on the buffalo and around the braid, but I'd say this is either a high end 66 or a low end 67. Although, it is just a picture. This is a small coin, about the size of a nickel . This picture is enlarged by about 350-400%, and so are the marks, which makes them more obvious. I am assuming this coin is bright and flashy with alot of eye-appeal. Sometimes these things make up for minute contact marks. Although, it is just a picture.
Actually, I don't think MS67 is out of line. Though the coin has one hit on the Buffalo's shoulder, the cstrike and luster look good and the color appears outstanding.
The real question is whether of not it's worth $1950.00. I'll stick with a nice MS66 example for $250 (or less).
I'd have to agree that the coin looks like it has the qualities of an MS67 1938-D/S. Most of those coins show a slightly weak strike and die fatigue that is evident on the back of the Indian's neck and front of the throat. I'd agree that the photo exaggerates the marks on the coin, which otherwise looks like it has great surfaces. But it is the luster that will make or break the grade from MS66 to 67, more often than not. The coin appears to have strong luster and some nice natural color to it.
BTW, the asking price is less than what most of those are selling for in auction.
Hoot
From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines. - Whitman
I don't see what you guys see as that coin does NOT have a good strike at all to me. The coin BigGreek shows has a much better strike. Look at the Buffalo's shoulder on the Ebay coin...flat.
jom - I stated that the coin had a slightly weak strike. And that issue usually comes with a weak strike. There's also a big difference between what are Type 1, 2, and 3 OMMs for the '38-D/s. That coin (on eBay) is a type 2 OMM, which is a notoriously weak piece from a very fatigued die pair. Thus, the bison's hair is usually flat on the head and the flow lines are heavy around the bison's body. The mane is incomplete on the high points. On the obverse, the Indian's hair knot is incomplete and there is serious wekness in the back of the Indian's neck and on the front of his neck. The flow lines are so heavy that most pieces show a true blending of the long feather with the field, as well as heavy flow lines on all device edges, causing LIBERTY to be mushy. So, the piece in question is, for the issue, not half bad. It is how clean the surfaces are and the depth/vibrancy/completeness of the luster that make the final detrmination for differentiating gem from ultra-gem pieces.
The piece shown by BigGreek does not look like a type 2 '38-D/S - more like a Type 1 in terms of die characteristics, but in the picture I can't discern the upper loop of the S above the D.
Hoot
From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines. - Whitman
The eBay coin doesn't look half bad. Since the picture is very large, and since the lighting angle can bring out minor hits, I don't see anything wrong with the grade. Don't forget, also, that, as mentioned, the strike, color, and luster are phenomenal.
Comments
David
The real question is whether of not it's worth $1950.00. I'll stick with a nice MS66 example for $250 (or less).
Now that's some in-depth analysis!!
BTW, the asking price is less than what most of those are selling for in auction.
Hoot
dragon
Still think the coin is a 67?
Please check out my eBay auctions!
My WLH Short Set Registry Collection
jom
The piece shown by BigGreek does not look like a type 2 '38-D/S - more like a Type 1 in terms of die characteristics, but in the picture I can't discern the upper loop of the S above the D.
Hoot
Russ, NCNE
Hoot
Jeremy