Classic Example

thought this was pretty funny. What grade do you think PCGS gave this coin?

 

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I'll guess from MS63FB to MS64FB.

 

I like this coin very much. The overall eye appeal is fantastic. Gorgeous underlying ice blue with streaks of almond and peach highlights. The coin appears to be full bands or very close but the overall strike is rather mushy which is common on the 1925. The surfaces are pretty clean save some minor ticks most notably on the lower reverse bands. I grade the coin MS65FB as long as the luster is consistent with a gem Mercury Dime. Those photos are outstanding but seem to be hiding the luster.

BTW, what is this a classic example of?

 

its a classic example of buying the coin and not the grade. I was all excited when I saw the grade on the holder and then i looked at the coin. the obverse could quite possibly be the worst strike ive seen on a mercury rather it be the 1925 or a 1945.I do agree with you lehigh about the toning. the coin has great appeal there but no way does the coin merit this grade

 

According to there site before it can leave it has to have two people agree on the grade and then a world class grader has to agree. so they didnt see the FSB? and all three felt the strike was worthy of a 67? This isnt common ground for PCGS I have to admit.

 

I am not sure what grade you would give this coin, but since I am grading from a photo and PCGS has seen the coin in hand, I am going to defer to their judgment. Mercury Dimes are heavily influenced in the mint state grades by luster. From the assigned grade, I will assume that the luster is much better than the photos indicate. I do think that the marks on the lower reverse bands should limit the grade to MS66 but again, they might be much more pronounced in an oversized photo than they are in hand. Regarding the strike, the 1925 was one of the worst struck Philadelphia minted coins from the 20's and this is actually an average strike for the year. I don't see the strike having any negative impact on the grade. The eye appeal is incredibly strong and probably accounts for the assigned grade.

The coin may be overgraded (market graded) a little, but I would not be so quick to lump this particular example in with the "buy the coin, not the holder" category. I would be proud to have this coin in my collection.

 

so then this one is a stunner?


BTW I would be proud also Lehigh! Its a great looking coin, I just wonder how far can luster carry a coin because as far as the strike its horrible plus theres nics everywhere on the reverse. I think I might send this one in just to see what happends

 

Also want to know how they dropped the ball on the FSB? Its Either FSB or not, I say FSB Tom B says FSB and Lehigh said FSB………….Is it possible to switch coins in the holders?

 

IMO, luster is just as important as surface preservation in the higher mint state grades. Strike matters very little IMO and from what I have seen, it matters very little to the TPG's as well. The only time I have seen strike matter is when a typically very well struck issue is struck poorly. But for a coin like the 1925 Mercury, they will almost never penalize the grade for strike. It is similar to Peace Dollars and "O" mint Morgans in that regard.

In all fairness, I said it appears to be full bands or very close. There are some spots that I could see the TPG having a problem with awarding the FB designation to this coin.

 

so would my great strike for 1925 award me points?Im just curious im not trying to be a you know what

 

The strike on your 1925 appears exemplary but the eye appeal seems lacking IMO. Again, in my experience, strike is the least important factor in the eyes of the TPG's.

 

ok i wasnt saying mine would come close to that grade i was just wondering if on a "weak" date does a strong strike give brownie points. thanks.

 

I have to agree with you on it being overgraded. I do agree with Lehigh that it's worthy of a 65 though. It seems to me that these days, if a certain year is notorious for weak strikes, the TPGs tend to overgrade. Has anyone else noticed this?