Guess the grade: World edition (.... well maybe just England and Ireland)

One of the things I enjoyed the most about the online discussion forums were the guess the grade threads. Admittedly, these were usually for U.S. coins that most forum members knew of, which certainly made things a bit easier. I have tried, with varying degrees of success, to expand this to world coins. However, I have yet to do so here on CT. So here it goes… today we have 10 coins fresh from NGC with grades all over the board. Please feel free to submit your grade estimates in the comments. If you think the coin has issues (i.e., cleaned, scratched, damaged, whizzed, etc.) and warranted a details grade feel free to state so. Also, please do not feel as though you have to “spare” my feelings. I do this for fun and take nothing to heart. Okay, let the games begin!

Disclaimers: I understand the numerous caveats with grading from pictures on the internet with even the highest quality images. With that said, I know my pictures are not the best, but it is the best I can do with my current iPhone and book stack setup. If you feel as though the images are not sufficient for you to respond, say so. Also, if anyone has suggestions for how I can improve my pictures, I am all ears!!

1. 1799 SOHO Great Britain Bronzed Pattern P-1246 Halfpenny



2. 1807 Soho G. Britain Proof Restrike Farthing P-1403



3. 1841 G. Britain Penny No Colon



4. 1847 G. Britain Penny Far Colon



5. 1860 G. Britain Penny Toothed Borders



6. 1863 G. Britain Penny



7. 1874 G. Britain Penny



8. 1694 Ireland Halfpenny



9. 1822 Ireland Halfpenny



10. 1823 Ireland Halfpenny

 

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Nice copper!

 

1. Pr-61
2. Pr-62
3- MS-63
4- MS 64
5- MS-62
6 - PF-65
7 - PF62
8 G 4
9 AU 58
10 MS-62

 

Thank you!

 

62
58+
63
64
62
55
63
10
55
58

Nice set!

 

Any last minute additions? I plan to post the grades tonight around midnight.

 

Coinsandmedals, did you get photovision on any of these? Im bad at grading copper so ill wait for your results reply haha

 

No, I did not request it for this order. I did request internet imaging for another order, but I am still waiting for those images. Although, internet imaging is very different then photovision. I assume this related to a similiar post on the NGC boards?

 

I'll take a stab from my phone...
62
58
63
64
63
58
58
10
55
61

 

1. This coin is markedly free of any distracting contact marks, the strike is bold, the fields are highly reflective and unblemished, and the coin seems to pop out at you. In my opinion, the numerous black spots on the obverse and reverse were likely the only reason this coin did not grade higher.

My grade: PF-64 BN

NGC grade: PF-64 BN

Thoughts: I am happy with the grade, and I think it accurately portrays the condition of the coin. The scratch at the knee is on the holder due my carelessness.



2. Although the strike is fairly strong for an example of this variety, several blemishes occur in both the obverse and reverse fields. For instance, numerous contact marks occur on the reverse, and small circular spots occur on both sides. All of these factors influence my perception of the coin's eye appeal and, as such, lowered the grade. Overall, for a variety that often presents as “Meh” this is an appealing example.

My grade: PF-62+ BN

NGC grade: PF-63 BN

Thoughts: I think a PF-62+ grade would have been more accurate for this example. Perhaps the nature of this variety makes me unfairly skeptical of it.



3. Admittedly, this series was completely new to me, and I had only the faintest idea about how to grade them. To teach myself, I looked through numerous graded examples found in the Heritage archives. There a few scattered contact marks, and blemishes occur throughout the obverse and reverse of this coin. Additionally, there are a few very minimal rim bumps. Overall the luster is strong, the strike is bold, and there are no unsightly contact marks.

My grade: MS-64

NGC grade: MS-63 RB

Thoughts: I looked this coin over again after it came back, and I like it much better is the 63 holder as it is a solid coin for the grade.



4. This coin is very impressive in hand. The strike is strong, which gives rise to the most intricate details. The luster is uninterrupted, and except for a small contact mark behind her head, the fields are very clean. A few small blemishes occur, but this is otherwise an extremely attractive coin in hand.

My grade: MS-65

NGC grade: MS-64 BN

Thoughts: I am pretty happy with the result, and overall I think this coin is very solid for the grade.



5. The next three coins were also new territory for me. I did my best to grade them based on the archived examples through Heritage, but I found this first example challenging. At first glance, the “chatter” on the neck was worrisome, but after closer inspection, it appears to a combination of small contact marks in conjunction with several die cracks. Except for that single spot, this coin is otherwise an extremely eye-appealing coin. The luster is abundant, and the coin appears more red than red-brown. I had initially labeled this coin as red. In my opinion, the spot on the neck impacted the grade the most, followed by a few very small contact marks scattered across the reverse.

My grade: MS-63 RD

NGC grade: MS-64 RB

Thoughts: I suppose I over adjusted my grade for the chatter on the neck. Overall I think the coin is acceptable as 64 but likely somewhere in the mid-range of that grade.



6. This one was a bit surprising for me. By all accounts, this seemed to be a well-struck and superbly clean example. I found this coin to be nicer than either of the two from the same series I submitted. To my surprise, NGC did not agree.

My grade: MS-63+ BN

NGC grade: AU-58 BN

Thoughts: I had initially thought that the lack of detail on her shoulder was due to a strike issue after reading up on these pieces, but I suppose that is, in fact, slight rub. It remains possible that a slight rub can be seen in other areas as well, but I have yet to do a detailed review of this coin. Overall, I am disappointed in myself on this one.



7. This coin is very nice in hand. A few small scattered contact marks occur on the obverse, with the largest appearing midway on her throat. The reverse is relatively clear in comparison to others I have examined of the same year and mint. The luster is strong, and the intricate details are crisp. I adjusted the grade for the scattered contact marks and overall appearance and the slight rim bump at 11:30.

My grade: MS-63

NGC grade: MS-64

Thoughts: It is a nice coin, and even in a 64 holder, I would not look twice at it to evaluate the accuracy of the assigned grade. In hindsight, I might have been too critical of the minor contact marks.



8. I am sure most are wondering why I would even submit this coin. This is fair given that the retail value is barely more than the cost of grading. I have a soft spot for nice problem-free well-circulated copper that retains a nice chocolate brown color. This coin is exactly what I look for when hunting early Irish copper. It checks all of the boxes.

My grade: VG-8

NGC grade: F-12

Thoughts: I was overly harsh on this coin. I believe the F-12 grade suits this coin very well.



9. This coin gave me some trouble, in part because I am still learning the ropes for the George IV issues and also because of this coin fell right at the brink between a 62 and a 62+. The spot on the crown, a few noticeable contact marks on the obverse, and a few blemishes kept it from a 63, in my opinion.

My grade: MS-62

NGC grade: MS-62

Thoughts: I think the grade is accurate and that this coin likely falls on the upper end of that spectrum.



10. Do you ever look at a coin, and your gut feeling says it’s a certain grade? This is one of those coins for me. At the initial inspection, I thought an MS-64 grade would be appropriate. The fields are mostly clean, the luster is very strong, and the color is super eye appealing in hand.

My grade: MS-64

NGC grade: MS-64 BN

Thoughts: this coin is solid for the grade, and if the fields had been truly immaculate, I think this example would have all of the merits of an MS-65.

 

@Coinsandmedals nice grades, you seemed fairly spot on for many of the grades!
I mentioned the photovision as I'm on the ngc boards and thought this order had photovision. I do wonder what difference internet imaging is from the photovision...?

 

@Mkman123 thank you! I was within a point on most of them. The 1863 is a notable exception to that trend. You may be getting this order confused with the ”special” order NGC is wrapping up now. That lot included an 1806 proof Farthing and Halfpenny that were accompanied by their original mint shells. From my understanding, the internet imaging is a high-resolution picture of the obverse and reverse of the entire slab. I believe photovision is a closeup picture of both sides of the coin before encapsulation. I’m not sure how much different the internet images will be from the cert verification images, but I suppose we shall see.

 

@Coinsandmedals ahh I think I am getting it mistaken for your other submissions hahah. Please do post the internet imaging and photovision pictures when you get them from your other submissions!

I will be submitting some world coins to NGC in a few weeks as well, can't wait!

 

Congratulations on attaining most of the grades you desired. Sorry about the 58, but I'm sure it's a good learning tool for you. Great photos and great insight to your thoughts. I enjoyed this thread

 

@Mkman123 best of luck with your submission! I plan to create a separate post of that submission. Beyond the coins being really cool, I need to brag on NGC for their customer service and flexibility.

 

Thank you! I am happy to hear you enjoyed the thread and I hope to do more of these as time goes along. I can forgive myself for the 1863 Penny in AU-58. I admittedly did not give that coin my due diligence before submitting it. The coin itself is still very nice and the assigned grade does not detract from my appreciation of it.