Grading of SMS Kennedy Half Dollars
ModCrewman
Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
I had posted last week about some grades I got back in a modern submission last week; indicating that I wasn't particularly pleased with the grades.
I took a look at the 1966 SP66 CAM Kennedy that was included in that post in comparison to my prior SP66 CAM for the same date, and noted the difference in reverse strike, particularly on the bottom of the shield. Do you believe the weaker strike should prevent a higher grade? My thought was that in this case, that's exactly what happened (and IMHO appropriately so).
In reviewing the two coins, I made up my mind to keep my old coin due to the strike differential. Do you believe I made the right choice?
My old coin:
The new coin:
I took a look at the 1966 SP66 CAM Kennedy that was included in that post in comparison to my prior SP66 CAM for the same date, and noted the difference in reverse strike, particularly on the bottom of the shield. Do you believe the weaker strike should prevent a higher grade? My thought was that in this case, that's exactly what happened (and IMHO appropriately so).
In reviewing the two coins, I made up my mind to keep my old coin due to the strike differential. Do you believe I made the right choice?
My old coin:
The new coin:
0
Comments
the first coin is just beautiful. In this case though the rules change slightly because such
nice strikes are more common among SMS coins and frosting is less common.
I can see the difficulty of your decision here since all factors considered these are just about
equivalent in quality despite the very different appearance.
Whichever pleases you more is the way to go and obviously you chose a beautiful coin.
My rule of thumb for coins in my collection is not to upgrade unless the new coins is what
I consider "clearly superior". In other words ties go to the coin in the collection and strike
is always a key component in the determination.
When it comes to SMS Cameo coins, my personal preference is to favor those coins with heavier frost and cleaner fields. Thus weaker strikes and the presence of marks or other blemishes are not as important to me.
Both are nice coins however.
Regards, Larry
<< <i>Both coins are very attractive.
When it comes to SMS Cameo coins, my personal preference is to favor those coins with heavier frost and cleaner fields. Thus weaker strikes and the presence of marks or other blemishes are not as important to me. >>
I agree with Kevin. For me it is all about the frost, the depth of mirror, and the contrast. For example, I'll keep a 66dcam over a 68 cam.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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