Question for our experienced coin graders..........

Looking at the PCGS coin grading guide, look at their example of an MS65 Morgan dollar. Look at the hairline scratches in a similar directional pattern on the reverse. What does that look like to your trained eye? How the heck is "new guy" supposed to wrap their head around that and apply to the real world?

 

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Die polish. Probably only on the fields. Not on the devices. And in hand and under magnification they’re RAISED. Not recessed like from a cleaning

 

Probably die polish lines as stated. You can only gain experience by years of time in this hobby. And it isn’t easy.

 

I agree, it looks like die polishing. Notice how the lines do not continue on the devices? And by the way I'm not an experienced coin grader, but I am glad to share what I can.

 

the same way the rest of us did. Reading, asking questions, looking at any and every coin we could get our hands on, getting a basic understanding of the minting process at least, and still even more reading.

once you have a grasp of the minting process you’re going to find you’re able to sort a roll of coins in damaged and interesting much better. Figure out what you have questions about specifically on the interesting ones and ask here. Even among those that look interesting you’ll find most are damaged, keep looking though. With practice you will get better at it.

I’ve only been collecting for about 15 years. I’m still very much a newbie when compared to a lot of the knowledge and wisdom at this site. Make good use of all of us here. Ask questions, read posts, go to suggested websites. Coin collecting is incredibly fun, but there is no small degree of work to get past the stage where your chucking your pocket change in a jar and calling it a collection.

pmeas accept this advice in the spirit it is given. Just an attempt to help you get started on a hopefully long and enjoyable path through this hobby.

 

If I were a new grader I would concentrate on the radial die flow lines. The ones that cartwheel when you photo or rotate them. under a light.



The first thing to learn is what unadulterated Mint state looks like.
The second would be the small quirks that allow the 87 above to be graded higher than the 80S below it.

 

Take a class. The ANA offers 3 levels of grading classes, four days each, at their headquarters in the summer at their Summer Seminar. There are also mini-classes offered in conjunction with some of the larger shows around the country. With uncirculated coins, there is no substitute for looking at a lot of graded coins under the guidance of someone who can tell you what to look at and how. There may be an eLearning mini-seminar (a couple hours) about grading on the ANA's website. These are open to everyone and free. If you can get to larger shows, ask a dealer with a lot of coins who isn't busy if they can help you understand what to look at and how to view a coin.

 

pLeasE accept this advice objectively.

 

Hopefully, what you eventually acquire, looks as this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1343028187...lUu7NxwkYdQza+oHKKlBgBOIk=|tkp:Bk9SR_TV6sSVYw

 

Confucius say, "Learn a little bit, then wrap head."

 

Looking for die polishing and cleaning marks is why some of us run around with a high priced 10X glass on string around our necks at the shows. The die polish marks are raised while the cleaning lines are into the surface of the coin. The strong glass also helps with counterfeit detection.

 

Thanks for all of the replies. What it probably boils down to, you can't properly grade a coin from a photo, it's a crapshoot. Only deal online with respected sellers and those who have free return services. I guess a trained eye might be able to stack the odds in their favor though through photos, but never a slam dunk until face to face with it.

 

Exactly. I never go to a show without my 10x

 

Why is that and why/how is that significant ?

 

How does 5x work, JM ?

 

If the dies are polished, it wouldn't reach into the recesses where the design is, only the fields that would be raised on the die.

 

Well said.

 

How much higher ?

 

It is the designation more than the actual grade. The 80S had brand new dies getting a PL or DPL on an 80S is very strict. And 87's they can be lenient on because when you see that PL look, it is different than the majority.