Which aspect of Bust coinage is most artistically focal to your eye?

MikeKing

I was examining some Bust halves, one with a clasp that had a light strike, but the flowing hair was exceptionally detailed and everything else suddenly went out the window.

I was examining the reverse of a Bust half, and the leaves, branches and arrows were so exceptionally detailed that any softness due to strike elswhere became totally insignificant.


I can't figure out how to post a poll, so maybe I can do it this way:

In terms of the Obverse, which aspect can override all other aspects, if that aspect is exceptionally well struck:

The flowing hair?
The bustier part of the bust (did I word this right?)
The profile?
The cheek?
The cap?
The drapery?
The clasp?
The stars?
The date?

etc.. etc.., and WHY? if you feel like it.

In terms of the Reverse...
The eagle
The talons
The leaves
The lettering
The scroll lettering

etc. etc......

edited to add: this question was updated after being informed of a deficiency by a member who wishes to remain anonymous.

JRocco

What a great question Mike. When I get a bust coin in hand the first time I tend to always flip it over and look at the reverse----old quirk I have, and my eye tends to always go the the birds neck. I can usually tell pretty quickly whether I will like the coin for the grade or not right away. Here for example are neck feathers on a bust half that blow me away.

slumlord98

On the obverse, I like well struck stars, especially on years where they are usually found poorly made. On the reverse, I like well struck talons since this is often a poorly struck feature. Overall, I like the total obverse design in soft focus, which is pretty much how I see them these days without optical assistance.

Who can tell the year of JRocco's coin by the feather design? Or at least a range of 3 years?