When you have a coin where one side is obviously higher grade than the other, how do tpg's or you personally determine/estimate the grade. Here is my example in question: What do you grade this coin?
GDJMSP is going to tell you that the lowest side determines the grade. I have also seen it written that you average the two sides (typically 60/40). From what I have been able to glean, the truth probably lies in the middle. Anyhow, I would call that a 30/35.
I dug up the section in the ANA grading standards book about this situation, and they start by saying you go by the lowest graded side. They go on to say, if the reverse is a higher grade than the obverse, you go with the (lower)obverse grade. The problem arises when the obverse grade is a noticeably better than the reverse (my situation here). They also add that the obverse seems to be more important than the reverse in the weighting of the overall grade. After viewing some PCGS slabs of this series coin i see a lot of variation in VF grades(IMO). I'm sure this is noticed in other series' and grade levels too, this is just the target i am studying currently. I appreciate the above responses and comments, and hope a few more of the seasoned guys around CT will chime in with their explanation/experience of this situation. I forgot to add this: What would a top tier TPG grade this coin in you opinions?
My first thought was F-15. It could be a weak strike around the eagle, but it sure looks like wear. Still a nice coin.
