Nice high grade buffalo toner

buffnut

Spotted this one at Pinnacle today. The colors are nice, but the strike really doesn't say "67" to me.
1936S Buffalo toner NGCMS67

Betta285

I don't know Buffs at all, but the grade looks justified to me..

airplanenut

Since pictures of colorful coins are hard to get with lustre, I'd assume the coin is blazing in person...

buffnut

If I'm paying anywhere near 67 money I want a fully defined braid and hair detail in the central obverse, along with full hair detail on the buffalo from the top of the back to the top of the front leg. I would also expect a fully split tail. This example seems to be lacking in all of these strike points. The toning is fantastic, but I think the grade is inflated.

Just my 5c worth...

Elcontador

I don't know details re the 36 S date pertaining to strike. I'd imagine on this late date, the strike is usually good. At that grade, I'd be inclined to agree with you, though I would like to point out that coins with super eye appeal do get a bump.

I got an upgrade re a 38 D from 6 to 7. The coin IMO was a technical 6 due to a contact mark on the reverse, but the coin had "the look." However, I've seen 7s that had more issues than my coin so I sent it in and got an upgrade. Perhaps this coin had so much eye appeal, that the deficiencies you point out were overlooked.

mojorizn

1936-S is common in all grades except gem and almost always come well struck. That pic appears to show some softness on the shoulder of the buffalo but if the lustre is particularly brilliant it can obscure minute details.

mojo

Shamika

The obverse strike is certainly strong enough to justify 67. The reverse strike is a little soft.

The obverse toning, however, is spectacular. It clearly is carrying the grade.

I'll bet the coin is something to behold in person.

Shamika

By the way Buffnut, welcome to the Forum.

oldcameoproofsguy

Alot of the times Pinnacles images don't do a coin justice. I'll bet the coin is far better struck than the image suggests. One thing about PCGS is that they are pretty tough on the Buffalo series; the coin will not grade gem if it is poorly struck. I bet it is a well struck coin with blazing luster if seen in person.