focal area
The area of a coin to which a viewer's eye is drawn. An example is the cheek of a Morgan dollar.
four-dollar gold piece ...
Focal Area
The area of a coin to which a viewer's eye is drawn. This is generally the center of a coin’s design. An example is the cheek of a Morgan dollar.
An MS-60 coin may have dull luster and numerous contact marks in prime focal areas, as long as there is no wear.
Pickup points on the obverse are the face and date; focal areas include the headdress neck and shoulder. Pickup points on the reverse are the top of the eagle's left wing and mint mark (or mint mark area).
Grading Mint Sets ...
A hit or numerous marks in the focal areas, even if not deep or too detracting may limit grade to a 63. Reasonable strike for date.
These will be well struck, lustrous and display only minor blemishes in a coin’s focal area. A Superb Gem, or MS-67, will be fully struck, intensely lustrous and virtually mark-free.
6 : Eye Appeal: the aesthetic appeal of a coin. This condition relates to all of the above. It does also include considerations relating to the placement of characteristics 1 and 2 in focal areas.
 See also: Struck, Numismatic, Dealer, Point, Luster
  
|
RSS
