Why don't TPG's assign the grade MS60 much?

It's not surprising that the median AU58 appears nicer than a MS60. The 58 grade was assigned on the basis of wear regardless of the number of dings. However, the density of dings can be pretty low, and the wear is barely noticeable. But a 60 got assigned to the lowest rank of uncirculated coins because of a huge number of dings which can give a negative impression even though there's no wear. Many 58's also have more luster than 60's.

I think one reason 60's aren't commonly awarded by TPG services for some series is because the grade represents the worst possible uncirculated coins that aren't problem coins. So a grader looks at an uncirculated coin with a lot of dings, and thinks, "It could be worse, and I've seen worse." So, it gets a 61.

Cal

 

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This makes sense. But I wonder when this became the professional grader's mindset? To the average Joe, "uncirculated" is better than "almost uncirculated." And in a way, it still is to me, being a classic U.S. coinage guy.

 

You have to allow for a world in which what the average Joe thinks is completely irrelevant. I will and I have and I do pay well more for an AU58 coin than an MS60 one. I don't even think twice about it. As far as I am concerned, I consider all recent 60's NOT mint state, and most recent 58's to BE mint state.

 

Planning on upsetting the Sheldon system apple cart are we?

 

You sound like you're a politician there Kurt

I only joke no need for any timeouts. If it wasnt for the average Joe not knowing anything about cars I'd be outta business lol

 

Like the ANA Official Grading Standards book says (7th edition, @GDJMSP ) we aren't CHANGING the standards, we're reporting the changes the marketplace has already implemented.

 

I live every day in the fervent belief and peaceful knowledge that the average Joe is an embarrassment intellectually. Otherwise, how would phishing initiated malware be so prevalent? Or, or, or hard money websites have such large readership?

 

Whoa, that Nigerian Prince promised me.....

 

Which is the MS60?

Two of them are AU58

 

Umm, the 1881?

 

You have to add when each was graded.

 

If they were done correctly and near each other in time, the one on the right is the 60. But I want more resolution. I need better looks at the Liberty cap. Which one would I pick to have if given a choice? Middle.

 

This is the only 60 Morgan I've come across and it's not a 60 by any definition I can think of. 60s are supposed to be pretty beat up and ugly. This one has great eye appeal and decent luster in hand. I could see it being called cleaned (can see some hairlines on obverse under loupe) or AU if that's wear above the ear but if they are straight grading it and calling it UNC it has to be a 62-63 at least. Very strange by ANACS it's like they couldn't decide between 62 and 58 so they just took the average lol

Anyways I really like the coin no matter and only paid $35 for it so I cracked it and keep it as a pocket piece. Pretty nice pickup IMO

 

Based on most CTer's theory that MS60's are baggier and/or uglier, then #3 must be the MS60.

 

To me, that's a nice 58. The wear on the cap keeps it from going into the 60's.

 

Yep I can definitely get behind calling it a 58 (if straight graded, I honestly think it should have been called improperly cleaned). Just can't possibly find a reason they landed on 60.

 

"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." George Carlin

 

Speaking of "sick" grades, I got my 2017 uncirc. set. Both halves in particular are ridiculously nice. 67 at least, maybe PL, maybe 68.

 

If that's "classic," it's a classic misunderstanding. These circulated and uncirculated grades have never existed on a continuum. Uncirculated grades have always been differentiated on luster and contacts, as there's no wear to differentiate them on. Likewise, luster and contacts are irrelevant in circulated grades.

 

Photos are slightly blurry but if go with 3 over 1.