TPGs grading coins with scratches

Can someone explain how this coin is a "problem free" grade. Not the first coin from PCGS I have seen like this. Was looking at an AG liberty cap cent last week and it also was graded problem free with a huge gouge in it. Are giant scratches honestly considered acceptable for low grades?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1924-D-10c-...76?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item51c096cad8

 

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If I remember correctly tpg's grade early copper more conservative and that may be why. Mind you I'm no expert on this era of coinage. Ask @Mainebill he should have a detailed answer for you.

 

Also don't confuse scratches with mint made adjustment marks. Many early silver and gold coins have them. They were to lower the weight of an overweight planchet as silver plugs did for an underweight one

 

I've seen coins with scratches and even graffiti pass then I've seen them detail coins for no aparrent reason

 

Old scratches/issues are often viewed different than new, and depending on the rarity of the coin in question, the leniency can at times be rather extreme.

 

I find it especially frustrating as a buyer. I've been looking for a decent AG-G liberty cap for awhile now and it is absurd to me personally what PCGS considers problem free especially on old copper. However as my OP shows, silver suffers from this as well. I guess to me a scratch is a scratch old or new.

 

With a coin such as given as the example, there is no reason for it to have been given a pass IMO. However, with select others, it is understandable as long as done to a reasonable extent. As for early copper, PCGS often deems coins as problems that suffer from mint made (or the like) "defects", so if you, as a collector, must have a cleanly graded PCGS example that has not only passed their standards, but yours too, be prepared to possibly have to pay up for it.

 

Must admit, I'm AMAZED PCGS passed this in a problem free holder. Why does everyone respect them so much? When looking at that specimen I feel they hypnotized everyone somehow to believe they are the best but based on what exactly do people believe this????

 

They base it on many years in this hobby and know that PCGS and NGC get it right more than most. You will learn that someday. With that said, I feel PCGS missed this one.

 

I just don't know how you can have 2-3 experts from the industry leading TPG all look at the same coin and say it's problem free. For additional reference here is a liberty cap with 3 scratches and giant chunk missing that is "problem free"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1796-1c-PCG...71?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item2ed42cb58f

 

Exactly!

I mean $400 Buy It Now for that?? Not too likely that will occur. I've had coins that looked beautiful not pass lower tier grading services standards. If this sort of thing passes PCGS then I really question how good a service they are. Also I don't think PCGS has a good idea of how to measure wear on a coin with a grade. Compare these examples:

PCGS AG03 Pilgrim:


PCGS G06 Pilgrim:



Why the enormous range in grade on these examples? I think these two coins ought to be given the same grade based on their overall wear.

 

I must be missing something here. Why would anyone even certify a coin worth possible 2.00 ? I don't even think there is a monetary listing for this date & mint in a G condition, and the guy wants $ 30.00 ???

Dave

 

The scratches on the OP coin ( 1924-D) appear to be from the die rather than PMD. Notice how the scratch is mainly on the fields ( high point of die) , but does not continue as strong ( if at all) over the devices ( deeper part of die). Even on the lettering ( which isn't as deep into the die as the head device) shows mostly in the field rather than the letters. Ugly, but..

 

But at least its not "environmentally Damaged"!!

Hey! The TPG's can do whatever they want to do since it is now their industry. We allowed it and we all support it except for a few dissenters.

 

Yeah ! The TPG's probably scratched their heads when they saw this submittal, so they gave it a Good grade and laughed all the way to the bank. After all, they don't get paid for bagged coins do they ?