I agree with you, but I have found many examples of limited issued commemoratives (medals, mainly) to be of absolute perfect quality (e.g. Franklin Mint). Not that I have seen them graded by TGP (don't know if they even accept them), but IMHO it's evidence that "perfect" quality production can be achieved.
Who said we were only speaking of proof coins? That said, my understanding of the proof coining process is incomplete. Tell me, are the coins removed from the die after striking by hand, or is there a ejector mechanism of some type (and presumably the contact marks that could result). Just curious...Mike
Unless I'm misreading something, the OP is. To be honest I don't know if they are removed by mechanical means or by hand. I just know that they are struck one at a time and removed 1 at a time, specifically to reduce any chance of contact marks.
That's just how it gets out of the press. It still can get imperfections from handling in the packaging process.
Indeed, and one must forget the abusive received while it is packed, and then shipped to its destination.
You need to read your ANA grading guide to understand the difference between 69 and 70. I believe the 70 mod market is a game for suckers. I will not pay a premium for a modern coin bc it is in a slab. The most I will offer is CDN Bid. The CDN does not post bids for mods in 69 and 70 and for good reason - this is how these coins come from the mint! I had a guy walk in the shop with a lot of slabbed 69-70 mod gold eagles. I offered him 97% of melt on them (as the refiner will pay me 98%). He tried to argue about pricing on mods etc. In telling him to get lost I laughed at him and said "the people who will pay those prices are scarcer than the coins themselves."