Owner Comments:
The 2nd rarest Denver coin struck from 1934-1947 after only the 1935 d. Only marginally less well struck than the 1934 P coin. Most examples are boldly struck in the thumb, skirtlines, eagle's breast and trailing leg. However, the HEAD is usually quite flat and poorly-defined just like the 1935-D coin. Even MS 66s can have flat heads. Luster is said to be excellent with thick mint frost. This issue is lightly to moderately abraded and was not handled with great care when minted. Even 65 gems can have abrasion and reeding marks. Most examples are brilliant or have light rim toning. Richly toned examples are quite uncommon.
Varieties include:
V 101 small D---same size as 1917-1929
V 102 large D---same size as 1935-1947
V 103 light die crack from bottom of D toward rim
This current GEM example is VERY sharply struck with full thumb, skirtlines, eagle's breast, trailing leg and even the HEAD is well struck up. As a matter of fact, this coin has one of the sharpest, fullest heads that I have ever seen for this issue and is one of the many reasons that I decided to pick it up! The fields and devices are quite clean with only one or two little ticks. It is housed in an OGH PCGS slab and has some really nice, warm, golden toning to it. The Luster is typical to other examples that I've seen. In my experiences, with the examples of this issue that I have handled, I have noticed that the luster tends to be subtle and more of a softly frosted satin, which perfectly describes the luster on this piece. Flow lines show but are not profound.
Investment potential is above average for well-struck MS 65s or better.
About 2500 total known in mint state.
30th of 65 in both overall and high grade mint state rarity.
PCGS Population 523/178 & NGC Census 209/48 as of 8/15.
Mintage at 2,361,000