NGC star * designation

Given that grading has subjective aspects yes this can and does happen.

I believe there are some exceptions to this such as PL designations, but it is my understanding as well that they ignore + and * grades in their evaluation. Whether or not that is actually true only they could answer that for sure.

 

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@GDJMSP
I'll just treat the star * and the CAC as separate, thanks for all the replies.

 

Several misconceptions here in this thread, I'll try my best to clear them up:

1. The CAC sticker has no relation to the star at all. CAC does not judge the star, and is not included in their evaluation of the coin. CAC judges the accuracy of the grade, and all other designations (FB, FH, CAM, etc) - but does not recognize the star. A FBL coin that did not meet even CAC's lax standards would not be given the sticker - but a Star coin with poor eye appeal could still get the sticker.

2. Eye appeal absolutely plays into the grade of a coin. The TPGs employ market grading, assigning a value grade to the coin. There is no secret to this - as much as some people disagree with the practice. A coin with decent luster, minimal marks, and a good strike which would otherwise be a 65 can, and does, get bumped down to a 64 if it has ugly toning, and can, and does, get bumped up to a 66 if it has exceptional toning. The Star doesn't completely eliminate this practice, but it does tend to minimize it: instead of giving a large grade bump, NGC will award a star. They will still grade a coin with good eye appeal higher, but not as egregiously. At least, that's the theory of it.

3. The Star is confusing because it has two separate meanings. The first, as elaborated in this thread, is for exceptional eye appeal. Attractive, vibrant, multicolored natural toning will be awarded a star. Exceptional luster may also be awarded a star.

4. The second meaning of the star is to designate a coin which has strong merits towards a certain designation, but doesn't quite meet the standards. A coin with prooflike tendencies, but whose mirrors aren't strong enough for the PL will be awarded the star. A PL coin with exceptional DPL mirrors on one side but weaker mirrors on the other will be awarded PL and a Star. Proof coinage with some cameo contrast, or strong contrast on one side but not the other, will be awarded a Star. A CAM coin with DCAM surfaces on one side but not the other will be awarded a CAM and a Star. I have never seen a star awarded for an "almost-there" strike designation, however.

5. The Star, like all grading and all designations, is subjective. I've seen some coins awarded Stars that I thought were unattractive. I'm seen some very attractive coins that didn't have Stars. As with all TPG grading, use the Star as a tool and make your own decisions about what you like and don't like.

 

This is directly, word for word, what NGC has on their website concerning a star designation on a certified coin's label:

NGC assigns its trademarked Star Designation to coins with exceptional eye appeal for their assigned grade. Read more...

Eye appeal is the most subjective attribute of a coin, but there are many standards shared by numismatists. Exceptional eye appeal may include attributes such as vibrant, colorful toning; intense luster; or, in the case of Proof coins, especially strong cameo contrast. To receive a * coins must be free of any obvious planchet irregularities, and display no bothersome spots or blemishes. Toned coins can be of a single color or multicolored but cannot have any areas that are dark brown, approaching black.

It's important to remember that coins with the Star (*) Designation can fall anywhere within the grades to which they are assigned. For example, a coin graded NGC MS 64 could be at the lower end, mid-range or higher end of NGC MS 64.

NGC applies the to qualifying coins in its normal course of grading. As they are already of the ultimate grade, any coin graded NGC MS 70 or NGC PF 70 will not be eligible for the * . Coins already certified by NGC can be resubmitted and reviewed for using the Designation Review service.

 

I think any added stuff on a certified coin is a waste I only get a coin graded for authentication and grade and that's seldom as everybody knows rock bottom a coin is only worth what a person is willing to pay no matter what the experts say

 

"...but a Star coin with poor eye appeal..." Isn't that a virtual impossibility? The "star" specifically designates exceptional eye appeal, within the confines of the grade. Was that a typo?

 

I suppose it would be more accurate to say "a Star coin with what I consider to be poor eye appeal."

Eye Appeal is extremely subjective. What the TPG considers to be positive enough eye appeal to award a star, I may consider unattractive. As I mention elsewhere, I've seen star coins that I personally consider unattractive. I've also seen plenty of coins that I thought should have earned a star but which didn't. It's the most subjective designation there is.

The point of that comment remains, however - CAC has no opinion on the worthiness of the star.

 

Briefly, Star does not refer to grade. It refers to superior eye appeal. Sometimes, it is used for proofs, when one side is cameo, and the other side isn’t.

 

The star is debatable on this one.

 

It could go either way. Usually NGC won’t Star a coin that has any significant Black in the toning, as it is regarded as terminal toning. This coin has attractive toning, but it is very dark in the corner upper fields. To me, it is a tossup.

 

And DMPL one side PL other, PL one side nothing other, DCAM one side other CAM etc. It's the biggest flaw with the * it just is to much of a catch all.