I have had this 2010-D Mint roll of pennies in my coin safe sealed in a Vacuum zip loc bag for over a year. Last week I bought 50 Penny 2x2's from fleebay. It arrived today, So I figured I'd take the pennies and put them in 2x2's. And since there is no coin I know more than a penny, I figured I would attempt to grade them since I wish to learn how to grade. I'd like to ask from the perspective of fellow roll graders and folks who have access to NGC and PCGS population reports, how accurate my first population report from a mint roll might be. Now I wish I could provide high res photo's of each coin I have graded but I simply cannot, my scanner stinks and will make the coins appear different (unless you have some tips for better scans at 600DPI which is the max my Canon M Series scanner/printer can do) Here is my population report MS-69+ A total of two, one was so close to MS-70 but when I saw a tiny spot on the reverse I suffered broken heart syndrome! MS-69 A Total of Twelve which I thought was oddly high but there is almost no scratches what so ever on these coins no more than one or two eyebrow hair sized scratches. MS-68 A Total of 16 which I honestly felt was quite accurate. maybe one or two were actually MS-67 but the link was so close I pushed them towards MS-68 MS-67 Fifteen, one was literally a MS-70 Obverse but the reverse was definitely an MS-67 so the entire coin I assume had to be MS-67. MS-66 One, Under the word states on the reverse, there was a deeper scratch and some tiny tiny brown spots were quite visible on the Obverse. MS-65 One coin, it was seriously a fine example but it had a lot of weird squiggly lines that were exhibited on the obverse/reverse (eyebrow hair sized to taste bud sized) TOSS Three total, the two end caps obviously had deep circular scratches that almost went through to the zinc layer (on the obverse) they were unfortunately otherwise quite fine examples. And the third toss coin was somewhere in the center of the roll, there is a part on the obverse where the zinc is visible. Almost all of these coins appeared to be a DD obverse but under close magnification it was just the light playing tricks with my heart and mind! So eh, what do you think is this a logical population report from one roll? As I was expecting almost all of them to be MS-65
There has been only one business strike cent ever certified MS70 by PCGS and it was later downgraded. Suffice to say you are probably way overgrading those coins. Your roll is probably mostly 63-65, with maybe a couple as high as 67. Post some good pics of the ones you called MS69+ and we'll tell you a more realistic grade.
Only one eh? The mint must really not care about the production of US cents! Hey my first attempt Merc and you may be right. I do know the US cent though and it's design. EDIT! I can however say my potentially super over-graded population report is much more accurate and reliable than SGS!!!!
Indeed I will but I need some good tips for how to get better scans with my scanner because they always look terrible.
Buy a camera, man. Scanners suck for coins, especially high grade coins because they don't capture luster.
Something that might help is getting some graded coins. Get several in each grade if possible. Pay attention to the luster since that will make a big difference in the grade.
You are 100% correct. BUY A CAMERA with VIDEO. I do have One but it is better than scanner You can download even in your computer photo and video to photobucket and you tube. In photobucket you can easily paste it to ebay without paying for the extra picture. My camera w/ vid cost only $ 500.00 plus TX SONY HYBRID HANDYCAM. I think scanner is good only for re-copy of picture/documents not for coins but unless you have no choice to send a photograph of your coins.
A few things you might try with the scanner. Lay the coin on the glass, no holder. Play with all the different settings. Try a lower DPI. Try it with the lid up. A camera is better but I have seen some images from scanners that looked really good. It takes lots of time and practice.
Here is a scanner pic at 600dpi IN a 2x2. Wave over the pic to zoom: This is a scanner pic at 600dpi NOT in a 2x2. Wave over the pic to zoom:
Alex, those are really nice scans! But I've abandoned the scanner and now use a point and shoot Cannon with macro capabilities. I got tired of fiddlin' with the scanner settings and the fact that the coin had to be out of the holder in order to get a decent picture. Also, my scanner lacked the capability to capture the luster on the coin, although, Sir Alex has done very well with his scans..... tlasch? I suspect you are over grading. Mark_ makes an most excellent suggestion.
SO I guess in combination of everything everyone has said. The MS-69's are probibly no greater than MS-67 the MS-68's and the MS-67's are probibly between MS-62 to MS -65 the MS-66 and MS-67 are no greater than MS-61 and MS-62?
I will see if I can find a guide for my scanner and see if I can get any better of images to post. I wish I had an expensive camera but I just don't
I have been using a canon A590 which was a consumers report "best buy" a few years ago. The retail price was $179, I found one on sale new for $90 and see them on ebay selling used for less than $50. Although it has macro I added a macro lens that I bought on ebay for $10 more, the combination works quite well particularly on copper but I assume my problems with silver is the lighting, not the camera.
