Washington Quarter Experts Need Your Opinion

AKrick

Below are two 39d Washington quarters. Both are PCGS Graded MS66. I feel that one of these deserves a chance at 67 so I'm going to send both of them in along with two other dates using my 4 freebie submissions due in the mail sometime next week. Like to hear what you all think. By the way, Some of you might remember the second one as I posted it in another thread a few days ago. The look is different because I messed up on the "white balance" the first time around. I feel the new pics better represent the true appearance of the coin.

I love both these quarters for different reasons but feel that the first one really has an amazing strike, especially the reverse and it is quite clean. Don't know if it has the "67" look that PCGS goes for but I have to give it a try. Let's hear some of your opinions. Thanks in advance!

TomB

I can give you a real-world example of what you are writing about for this series as I have been through this. A few years ago I sent in three absolutely gorgeous 1949-D Washingtons with some of the best Mint Set toning I have ever seen. One coin, the one with the deepest and most dramatic toning, came back MS67 while the other two came back MS66. I was stunned because the coin that came back MS67 had the most nicks of the three. PCGS just liked the deeply, dramatically toned look of that coin, it appears. I then sent the two that graded MS66 back in and one of the two graded MS67 on regrade, with the other staying MS66. Oddly enough, the coin that is still in the MS66 holder is the cleanest of the three coins submitted and has the best obverse toning. The reverse toning, though very attractive to me, is the type of toning that PCGS has historically not rewarded; that is, the toning is a wonderful, chestnut "rain" type of pattern in a diagonal direction. This last coin would like go MS67 now.

So, I say you should go for it. While the top coin is far superior in its technical aspects, I like the eye appeal of the bottom coin better. If I had to guess, I would say the top coin would come back MS67.

Bikingnut

In my opinion, I think the first one has the best shot. They are both nice coins, but I think the contact mark on the cheek and the eagles right leg of the second one will keep it out of a 67 holder. Just curious, are you going to send them in the holder? I've been thinking of sending a few in for regrades on the freebie myself when I renew my membership.

Dennis

AKrick

Thanks for your thoughts Tom. The second coin, in hand, is really a beautiful coin and far more lustrous than the first although there is nice luster on the first but hard to capture in a picture. I have 67s that aren't as nice as either one of these but whose to say what PCGS will think on any given day. Will let you know the results further down the road...

morgannut2

In my opinion the top coin should grade as a MS-67, and technically and in "eye appeal" terms would grade as a MS-68, in many other series. The second coin, due to the obverse mark (s) and other factors is a MS-66 and might even get a 65 if a young, inexperienced grader or two see it. I think you should send a third coin in, in PCGS 66 that has lots of marks and is dipped out white just so they see what a nice coin the first one is. Good luck.

AKrick

Dennis, To answer your question I'll probably send them in their holders this time around as I have a PCGS graded 32d I want to send along with them. It's in a 63 holder and I haven't the balls to crack it out. If I don't have any luck with the 39d's this time around I may crack them out and try again at a later date without the 32d.

Colorfulcoins

Rick, as you know, I originally made the top 39D and I expected that coin to come back MS67! But that was a number of years ago and PCGS is more rewarding of toning now than they were 2-3 years ago. I still vote for the 1st coin!

rainbowroosie

I think TomB's comments are very perceptive.

AKrick

Thanks for reminding me Craig. I remember putting that 54s up on Ebay when it was in an NGC MS67 holder. At the time I was selling all my NGC coins to purchase Colorfulcoins' (the other Craig) collection of PCGS Washingtons. Now Tom S has that 54s. Me, I'm still looking for a nice 54s to add to my set...

Thanks for all the positive remarks. Will let you know what PCGS thinks.

Android

Both are stunning coins! The first is a for sure MS67 both from a technical perspective and eye appeal. The second one, although dripping with eye appeal should remain in MS66 due to the contact marks, as others have noted.

AKrick

<< <i>The second has 1 mark only. The blow ups are not fair representation. Like Rick said I have handled alot of Pcgs ms 67 Washington's

and the second one would definitely hold its own. The second one I would consider mid range 67. Attractiveness 67.6, technical 66.8.

with over all score of 67.4. All it depends on is who is grading it that day.
>>



Dang, I'm really feeling good about the chances of one of these making it. Craig, I agree with you on this one. My pictures don't do it justice (far nicer in hand) and like you said, the blow ups are not a fair representation. Hope you guys are right and one of them upgrades. Thanks again for all the great responses!

Android

Good luck to you Rick! I'm hoping that both will get there.

Colorfulcoins

hey......................maybe BOTH willgo MS67!!!!!!

LucyBop

two very lovely examples, i can see why you think they have a shot at a seven holder, good luck!

JRocco

Please share your picture set-up. I love your pics. Please share--camera/set-up/lighting?

AKrick

J,

No fancy stand used to take the pictures. Bought 3 Lamps at Fred Meyer's on sale. Can't remember the price but they weren't too expensive. I would imagine any type of adjustable desk lamps will do. No special lights needed. I use GE soft-white 40 or 60 watt blubs in the three lamps. For coins in PCGS holders, a black background works the best. I position the lamps so that the reflection of the light on the slab is as close to the coin as possible without actually reflecting off the coin. I have the camera on a cheap tripod and positioned about 3 to 4 inches above the coin. Sometimes, if needed, I'll slip a dime under one corner or side of the slab just to get a little tilt to bring out the colors.

I really don't know much about photography. I think the camera that I use, a Nikon Coolpix 4500, does all the work for me. Spent a lot of money on various types of lighting, including "ott" and "Reveal" but in the end the cheap GE Soft White bulbs seem to work the best for me. Hope this answers your questions and thanks for the compliment.