Does anyone know of a good source that will tell someone how to grade high grade modern coins (MS68, MS69 & MS70)? Do any of the TPG’ers publish their standards for these grades? I have TPG graded examples for some series that I can refer to, but I’d like to find written standards to use in conjunction with these slabbed coins. Some related questions. If the TPG’ers cannot or do not publish written descriptions for these high grades, how can they justify placing a particular high grade on the coin? How can the consumer have any confidence that the coin warrants that grade? I’m sorry, but, “Trust me, I’m a professional”, doesn’t cut it. A hobbyist should be able to grade their high grade raw coins based on written standards, as they do with lower grade coins or it’s all a fool’s game, as many hobbyists believe. Edited: Same questions/concerns apply to proofs (PR68, PR69 & PR70)
That link doesn't do jack. I guarantee there are MS70's that have imperfections at 5x magnification, heck, they can probably even be seen with the naked eye sometimes too. MS69's are the same way. Some 69's are nicer than 70's, some are not, some are the same. There really is no way to grade them, it is a total toss up. I think a neat experiment would be to actually grade a various selection of coins by those 'standards' and see if it comes back at either 69 or 70, whatever grade you assigned. You'd be surprised at how many coins you graded 69's come back 70 and vice-versa. Grading of modern coins, IMO, can sometimes can really be a joke.
That link is merely a glossary definition. Do yourself a favor and buy the PCGS grading book. Then do yourself another favor and buy the ANA grading book.
Assuming all submitters of coins to TPG'ers are treated equal, you make a good point. Guess that's the subjective part of grading and why minute difference in grade will always cause debate.
The best way to give yourself knowledge other than coin forums with people who have done it all is to buy books actually. I'd rather read a published book by a reputable author/company than anything online even if it is PCGS's site. You will see that books like the ANA grading standards have great pictures and great descriptions. Look at my recent thread on grading the Morgan Dollar...I used ANA's grading descriptions and a few of my own terms for that. From my experiences book and this site have helped me more than this site and other sites.
Some good advice here. I have to agree with tmoneyeagles that reading many books is a good idea. And, thanks GDJMSP for all the references - started to look at them, but will take some time to get through the list (hobby time is limited these days). And, thanks RLM for the link to PCGS's descriptions. Even though more elaboration would be helpful, their few words say a lot about where to "zero in" on the coin.
You might need to be more specific. "Moderns" has become an extremely large category of coins and there are numerous types of moderns. What TMoneyEagles is referring to works much better with something like recent date commems than it does for something like a 1976 type I Ike. There isn't even in existence an MS-68 '76 Ike. If you're talking about states quarters of recent dates these are much easier to grade but I don't believe any have gone MS-70 yet.
I think the official definition is 65-Present. I'm almost sure though, that we are in conversation of things like State Quarters, Sacs, and Presidential Dollars versus Ikes. (Which are actually graded, not put on a conveyor belt and randomly selected)
The early states coins are pretty tough in high grade. I agree except I might be the only one who doesn't know what the subject is.
Yes, I'm interested in the modern stuff, satins, silver proofs, some business strikes and silver Ikes, all of which get pricy in the upper grades. So, I figured I'd learn to grade them and pick out the better ones, since I have a lot of them. Yeah, yeah, I know, those prices probably won't hold, but the higher grades will always be the better choice. I'd say the general pcgs definitions can be applied to any coin. The last time I saw detailed descriptions for grading was back in the 70's or 80's, anyway a long time ago, which was for Morgans, that used something like a colored topographical map that highlighted key areas on the coin that determined mint state grades.
They still use them. What those colors indicate are the prime focal areas of the coins. In other words marks in those areas are more important, carry more weight than similar marks in secondary areas.
What company ? I don't know that any company did it. And as far as I know it has never changed. But you can find it in the ANA grading book among others. You can even see an example here - http://www.coingrading.com/surfpres1.html
In conjunction with what T said, you also have to consider that the graders assigned the task of grading Moderns are looking at thousands and thousands of coins daily. You have to forgive them if they occasionally yawn or ho-hum during the course of their inspections and miss one or two. Chris
hi i inherited several pieces and am lost how to even proceed- as i do not wish for them to merely be, sold to some random corporation. I want them in a good home - not code for higher personal gains . Items are mostly 1980s, some graded, most not. All uncirculated. Stumbled upon you gentlemen & ladies, trying to search up grading and having this service performed. If anyone can be of help, I created an email specifically for this edited I will also check back here for responses. Thank you in advance! And I hope I don't sound suspicious, I really don't know where to start or than dropping them off at some generic local coin reseller that seems to be more of a higher class pawn shop variety no offense, because some of those encountered were respectable people If the consensus is just do that, I'll go for it. But wanted to get down home about it first! Thanks in advance - Irem
