No. Not really:
Photodo MTF score
Nikon 50/1.4 AF-D: 4.2
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.0: 4.2
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4: 4.2
All tied
DXOMark
Carl Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 ZF.2 Nikon Price $1200 Score: 35
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D Price $329 Score: 32 (Same score as newer G series)
Reviews
Image Resources: 4-1/2 stars
Google "Lenses with best micro contrast"
Micro-Contrast, the biggest optical luxury of the world
Nikkor AF 50mm 1.4D.
Nikkor AF 35mm 2D.
Voigtlander SLII 58mm 1.4 Nokton.
Zeiss ZF2 35mm 2.0 Distagon.
https://yannickkhong.com/blog/2016/2/8/micro-contrast-the-biggest-optical-luxury-of-the-world
So, this thread isn't overrating the Nikkor 50/1.4D. It's pointing out how underrated this lens is. Kinda like a Seiko automatic -- it just goes. But neither expensive enough to interest the Veblen watch collectors nor old school cool enough to interest hipsters. Doesn't have the coolness factor of the pre-AI, AI, AI-S klunky metal rabbit ears lenses -- it (shriek!) autofocuses, and (shriek!) is mass produced(!), and (shriek!) has a plastic barrel(!), and (shriek) no exotic glass or aspherical elements(!) -- Just an unassuming, classic 50/1.4 throwback that renders beautifully.