1921 Peace Dollar - PCGS-62 (VAM-1H - Business Strike from Satin Proof Dies)

Stuart

Here's a new 1921 High Relief Peace Dollar purchase that I'm pleased to share with my fellow forum members.



I'm looking forward to seeing your comments and observations about strike, variety and luster.



1921 Peace Dollar - PCGS MS-62 (VAM-1H - Business Strike from Satin Proof Dies)

mirabela

Pretty coin. Hunch says 58 but could 63 ... Well struck by the looks of things. Satin luster comes through in the areas without the skin from handling.

crazyhounddog

Really nice. I'm not the guy that gonna get the grading right but I'll say 64 . It sure is nice. Congrats.

ElKevvo

Hi Stuart! Nice coin...looks to be a 63 / 64 to me...but I always have trouble with Peace dollars. Strike is nice, especially on the reverse and it looks like it has decent luster. One of my favorite designs! Thanks for posting...



K

BryceM

Strike is above average, with some separation of the central hair curl. Luster is difficult to evaluate on high-relief coins in photos, but also sometimes even in hand. It's just "different" than the regular low relief coins. Since so much of the grade depends on that, it's very hard to guess on this one. There's something about the obverse photo that makes it look polished/cleaned, but I hope that's just an artifact of the photo technique. I can see it from MS62 to MS64 depending on luster. That's waffling, I know. Forced to chose I'd say 63.



Everyone ought to have at least one of these beauties.

Walkerfan

Strike is above average. The luster looks like a softly frosted satin. I'll say MS 63. I like it a lot.

PutTogether

The strike on your coin is considerably better than average. The detail in the very center of the obverse is definitely better than 8 out of 10 of examples you're likely to find, and probably better than 9 out of 10. I also suspect that it shows even more in person.

The reverse looks even better. Including the tips of the rays closest to the center, feather detail, and even "STATES."

I like this coin a lot. I bet the luster is pretty good, and I like how the surfaces seem to have a skin on them. I doubt this one has been messed with - at least from what I can see.


Side note: It is funny how almost every '21 in existence is described as having a better than average strike. I'm not sure ive ever heard anyone describe their coin as 'average to poor' even on an issue widely known to be weakly struck.

If you haven't looked at a ton of these, or aren't looking at them back to back, it is easy to mistake an 'ok' strike as 'better than average' - especially since that is how everyone describes their coin for sale anyway. (while most are actually outright poor)

kaz

from the images, I think AU58. Very good strike.

Jackthecat1

I would call it 61 to 63. I don't see any rub.

metalmeister

Very Nice! Either MS64 or 64 with rub aka AU58

PutTogether

I forgot to guess a grade. With the usual caveats about pictures - I'm going to gamble and say 65. Because I don't think that is rub on her jaw. I'm also starting to like the luster more. I can't shake the idea that this coin probably looks exceedingly nice in hand.

To anyone else looking at purchasing a 1921 - really, REALLY try to hold out of for one with strike like this. It's easy to buy a 21, it's hard to buy one like this.

renman95

Originally posted by: kaz
from the images, I think AU58. Very good strike.

I have to agree. I had a -63. Not quite there.

oih82w8

Nice strike, VAM-1H variety and satiny luster.

mercurydimeguy

PCGS MS63 CAC for comparison purposes...

ricko

MS60/61....Nice coin.... one that, if I saw at a show, I would likely buy... Cheers, RickO

messydesk

58 or 62. Above average strike. I agree with VAM 1H. The wispy cloud of polishing lines above the W in WE give it away.

VanHalen

Strike looks "B+" for a 1921 while the luster looks below average in the images. The eye appeal is not doing much for me but the surfaces are in very nice shape as far as contact marks and abrasions. Perhaps she looks prettier in-hand?



AU58.

keets

looks like a typical MS64 coin with a nicer strike showing on the reverse and what may be remnants of a fingerprint on the obverse. the AU guesses suggest(to me, at least) that a lot of members aren't aware that the hair detail never fully "strikes up" due to the high relief, which brings me to a point about redundancy. is there such a thing as a low relief 1921 Peace Dollar??

asheland

Nice! I see a 62

Stuart

Congrats to OIH82W8 and MessyDesk for correctly identifying and attributing the subject coin's VAM-1H Variety (Business Strike from Satin Proof Dies).



Thanks also to fellow forum members for posting your observations and comments about this coin's Strike and Luster.



Your comments on grade are also appreciated and interesting. -- I'll comment on the coin's grade in a subsequent post.

CCDollar

Hey Stuart...I'm a '21 Peace Dollar guy myself. The strike and detail is very nice...however...it looks a little baggy...maybe run through a slot machine in Reno once or twice. But...hey...let us know the grade soon...that's a nice '21.

CC

jcping

AU 58 to me. In a good day, you will get MS62 (aka AU62)

Stuart

Thanks to everyone for your informative posts regarding the subject coin.



I'm pleased to post the PCGS MS-62 grade in response to several requests.



I purchased this example primarily because of the VAM-1H Variety, Strong Strike and Glossy Luster.

DIMEMAN

I like it, but don't know squat about Peace Dollars or the Vam varieties.

BryceM

At MS62 you got a very attractive coin for an even more attractive price. Win-win.

oih82w8

The variety should bring another $100 to the "base model" version.

dizzlecc

Not bad for a 62. Better than average strike, toning on reverse holds back potential luster. Does PCGS recognize the variety anymore?