This 1880 half-eagle displays an almost unbelievably attractive satin-luster quality that is far, far above the mundane, as it is comprised of rare mother-of-pearl texture, which can be seen by the way flowline luster radiates from multiple axis points in the fields. As the coin is tilted back and forth, rather than displaying spinning luster, the churning flowlines drape and flow with three-dimensional effect that cannot be explained, but must be seen to be understood. It is as if the texture of rolls of chiffon material had been captured up into a magical wand and layered with care over the fields and devices. In your fearless cataloger's experience, THIS is something worth pursuing, and perhaps an astute collector will recognize the knock of opportunity here. While technical aspirations for this coin are about on par, or even better than the MS-64 grade assigned by PCGS, the eclectic luster is what mesmerizes the eye, and qualifies for the prestigious Scotsman Cataloger's Choice award.