I agree that it should be in a DETAIL slab - the nick on the cheek is a killer, the mark on the nose, neck, and what looks to be pitting behind the braid, also lower its appeal for me. I'm going to go AU53. - NET VF30 Speedy
Could someone please enlighten me on what exactly a scratch is defined as to be noted as so on the slab and how to tell the difference between a scratch and surface marks? Thanks, im guessing though that a scratch would have to be deep and easily noticed to labeled as so. Thanks
The PCGS grade is MS64 From PCGS web site: MS/PR-64 Few marks/hairlines or a couple of severe ones, strike should be average or above. It been suggested to me that I should perhaps asked for a review under PCGS Guarantee. Does anyone believe I should not ask for a PCGS review? Personally I have been back and forth all day on wherever to ask in my decision to submit. BTW:I appreciate and thank everyone for sharing their opinions. It has become a learning experience for me. Thank you
PCGS can always point to the text "or a couple of severe ones" and refuse to buy the coin back, which is what I think they would do. In my opinion, I would not want to own a relatively common coin such as this that also costs as much as this one does and that has such a noticable blemish on the coin. That is a recipe for reduced sales price or reduced liquidity.
Wow, I can't believe it rated an MS-64. I may be looking at some really bad photos but I was thinking an AU-55 at best.
They are scans, not photos. Scans take all the luster out of the image. So many folks today produce high quality digital images that many collectors have forgotten or have never had to interpret a scan.
If the scratch bothers you,I would sell the coin as a MS64 and then buy a nice clean MS63 or something.
It doesn't surprise me. I've got a PCGS graded MS-64 Washington 25¢ in my collection that looks worse than that coin. Apparently PCGS doesn't consider distracting "scratch" marks on uncirculated quarters to be damage. In their eyes, they are just "contact" marks.
I would use it as collateral against a coin you did want, or keep it, plenty of people out there buy sight unseen if its pcgs.
I like that quarter! Having the benefit of knowing it's grade, I think the nick is minor when the quarter is viewed at actual size. Take a look at this link to see what PCGS calls a 63 - I'd choose this 64 over that 63 any day. http://cgi.ebay.com/1932-S-WASHINGTON-QUARTERS-PCGS-MS63-/300431807702?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item45f32194d6
As soon as I can I will post some digital photos of the coin, although my photo skills with coins are lacking.
I am gonna say ms62. That scratch is not big or deep enough for the coin to be "damaged". Update: just finished reading the post. I am surprised that it graded 64! Sure it gets a bump up for being a key date. I see a lot of folks thought the coin should grade AU. I think it is easy to be over critical when assigning a grade in your mind, but better playing it safe then sorry. I think you should be happy that it got a 64.