Computer grading

I was reading an article that mentioned computer grading. I have never really thought about that before, but it does offer consistent grades, if it is indeed accurate. With the imaging and computer technology available today, why not?

So my question is, how much of this is going on? Any merit to this, or is the human eyeball and brain still unbeatable?

 

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Although I think it may very well be in the future of numismatics, there will always be certain things that the computer will not be able to do as well as the human eye. Things like eye appeal and luster probably cannot be determined by a computer scan, and then there are certain things that must be taken into consideration like weak strike, Mint error and toning that only a human will be able to assess. So, while the computer could possibly scan a coin for the "nuts & bolts" determination of grade, the human will still have to weigh that against the other merits of the coin.

Chris

 

I believe common series do have some computer grading done already. They used to anyway, something like Morgans would get a pass under the computer then a human confirms or changes the grade.

Take this with a grain of slat since I read this quite some time ago, and would prefer someone with current experience to speak of it.

 

Simple Question here

Current eyeball tech will prove where the coin has NOT been.

(No O2 or sulfur or water, skin oil.......and so on.........)

MS~70 or better strike.

Next will be computer sniffing slabbing with:
JFK bled on this coin~Abe sweat on this one~
Bill Gates got a snowcone with this quarter on a Wed (Because it was the only day in Oct where the Sun was shinning)

Some will have stars and "+" and flags on their plastic coffins.
Holograms as Proof. Proofs with holograms.

And on and on.........If you want to pay somebody to tell you how much you like the coin,
so be it.

Rarely do I pay to prove how much I like the coin.

But I am guilty on occasion.

And I don't ask my computer 1st.

 

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I'd take a human eye over a computer any day.
I want a person grading my coins, not a computer. (For the reasons that Christ, two posts above has mentioned)

 

I'm gonna do the devils advocate thing here. There is and no one can argue a lot of subjectivity in coin grading.

What better than a process that is properly calibrated and grades with the consistency that us coin collectors like and agree with. My gosh, the stuff they are doing with computers and imaging. I can't believe that software can't be written to take care of your concerns, whether it be strike, wear, luster, appeal..etc.

Also I want to stress that the internet/digital age is greatly effecting my industry, Media.

 

There are such programs. This seems to be the leader.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5224176.html

Want to guess who has the rights to it??

Now wonder why they don't utilize it ( or for conspiracy theory people ~ do they ?)

 

They did back in 1990/91 (The Expert System) and decided it didn't work well enough. Coin World had an excellent article, I believe it was last week, that looked back at th entire experiment of computer grading that took place back in the late 80's early 90's. The "New" PCGS Secure Shield program that they introduced this year is actually the first part of what they were doing back in 1990. Scanning the coin and creating a digital fingerprint that allows the coin to be recognized again if it is ever resubmitted thus allowing the same grade to be applied resulting in consistency in the grade. When computer grading failed back in 1991 I recommended that they scrap the grading part but keep the scanning to provide consistency and eliminate the crack out game. Twenty years later they do just that and tout it as something new.

 

Dang I know I am "old" but didn't realize the articles I read about this "new" system was so old already. Good info.

Just turned 42 the other day, I must be viewed as a dinosaur by the young guys around here.

 

Exactly right! I researched this myself a while back and found all the same facts.

Among the two sides to this coin are that the process is subjective where it is most important: what a machine can do, no one needs to because the coin speaks for itself. The other side is that as hinted, if grading were to become mechanized then certain craftsmen would be unemployed.

 

I think it would be a good thing for a couple of reasons, one would be to lock in an image of the coin so it could not be resubmitted. Resubmissions make a joke of whatever value there is to ppopulation reports. Second would be to quickly identify forgeries, assuming the forgeries have differences in the dies from authentic coins. It would not be perfect but would help with the flood from China being experienced.

Trying to grade would be tough, since simply looking at a flat surface cannot see wear always, subjectiveness in where marks are, and "market grading".

 

There were at least four companies working on it, ANACS, Amos press, Compugrade, and PCGS. I believe the Coin World article mentioned that there were others but I don't believe they mentioned names. I don't know if NGC was doing anything with it or not. As far as I know only the PCGS and Compugrade ever reached the stage where they were ready to go live and only Compugrade ever actually accepted submissions for grading.

 

You know they currently have a contest for builders of computer driven automobiles for military use here in Southern Nevada. It's a desert course and the auto must be entirely self contained computer controlled. Although, the universities and manufacturers who enter have had a lot of setbacks, like the cars leaving the course and parking in people's carports, etc., each year has shown immense improvement.

Last year one entry nearly completed the course. The vehicle has to recognize through cams (eyes) all the same aspects a human driver does and react accordingly.

I believe that we will see one complete it within this decade. Then the technology will take off like a rocket !

Given that aspect of the level of sophistication we have reached with our technology, I believe computerized grading is doable and very likely to become the norm of our hobby/business in a short time. The standardization, ability to recognize altering or enhancements, etc will be beyond the ability of humans just as it has with everything else. Digital recordings are better than our ears, cams are better than our eyes and computation speeds excel that of our brains. When put together, it will be a superior grading system to any we have now.

The future is almost here.

IMHO

 

What you need is a program that can think around corners. Ain't happened yet.....

 

Not yet, but it's a happening thing. Given that the number of options that the memory can search has increase exponentially and continues to do so, one day the "thinking" will be faster and with a better range than we can have. Even new cars are coming out with braking systems to avoid collisions that are faster than a human can react. I remember when power brakes and steering first came out.

Technology fuels itself and keeps coming at a faster and faster rate.

IMHO
gary

 

Never thought of it that way, but you are right a computer program can't deal with the abstract.

 

sigh

:devil:
Perhaps someday I'll settle for a beautiful android that is both beautiful~

And "Fast".:devil:

Until then I choose to use judgment based on biology.