Owner Comments:
INITIAL ACQUISITION: One original bank wrapped roll (OBW) in 2009.
SLAB: I submitted three coins from the OBW for grading and encapsulation in 2010. One very similar coin returned MS 67 5FS, another (with mint error service) was designated MS 65 MINT ERROR STRUCK ON A BLANK (instead of planchet), and this coin came back with the top pop designation of MS 67 6FS.
OBVERSE: The obverse appears to be a somewhat later die stage, but the overall beauty overtakes the naked eye, that several light surface scratches are forgiven. The mark below the temple is slight indentation due to weak strike - my photo lighting overexaggerated the effect.
REVERSE: While I was surprised to see this coin return from NGC 6FS (I personally grade it 6/6/5/6), the reverse strike is exceptionally clean.
SALE STATUS: For sale! I recently listed on EBay with reserve. The hammer price was $255, well short of my reserve price.
POPULATION NOTES (as of January 2011):
NGC MS 67 6FS – pop 2/0
NGC MS 67 5FS – pop 2/0
PCGS MS 67 FS – pop 3/0
COMPARABLE MARKET NOTES (Heritage Auction archives):
PCGS 1974 MS 66 FS (pop 12/0) – Feb 2010 – $920
PCGS 1974 MS 66 FS (pop 12/0) – Jun 2008 – $1610
PCGS 1974 D MS 67 FS (pop 4/0) – Feb 2010 – $1495
Full steps were more common in 1974 than in 1973. PCGS grades carry a little more cachet than NGC. I do believe this coin would cross over to PCGS MS 67 FS, but it's staying in its NGC holder right now for the more strict 6FS designation.