This might be a question for the English / British early milled copper coinage people. I understand that early English milled copper coinage was plaqued with inconsistent copper and minting techniques, as well as horribly damp conditions at the Royal Mint in the London Tower. What would explain this coin's grade? Is this a planchet defect instead of rim damage? guy
As for the grade, NGC obviously found it acceptable. But there really is no way to know if they (NGC) considered it a planchet defect or a rim ding. We only know they found it acceptable. But if you can see the coin in hand, you can often tell the difference yourself. Rim dings will usually have sharp and sometimes even jagged edges. And sometimes there will even be raised metal around them. Planchet defects do have this. Their edges tend to be smoother, rounded over, because of the metal flow when the coin is struck. A rim bruise or an edge bruise is different than either of these. They look more like dents from the coin being dropped on it's edge. Because of that they are easier to define and detect. But they are usually treated in the same way that rim dings are by the TPGs when it comes to grading. Rim/edge dings and bruises always affect the grade in a negative manner, regardless of severity. And if they are judged sever enough, which is very subjective, they can even result in the coin being put in a details/genuine slab.
IMHO looking at the pic I would assume a rim bruise. But, that is just from a pic. It would be somewhat easier in hand. Not that I try to look at these per se, it just seems quite a few similar coins I have seen slabbed as good, so either I am wrong or the TPG believe such things are market acceptable. If the metal is raised above the rim in the area of the bruise, I would like someone to explain to me how that could be mint damage, (other than of course it getting dropped at the mint post striking).
Thanks for the input. What's the verdict on this coin (rim nick or planchet defect)? (Not my coin.) Thank you ahead of time. guy
I would say so. IMHO, TPGers give some leeway to older issues. I have seen bruises on 18th century large cents and similar coins that would have body bagged any 20th century issue. Look at the 1797 English cents and twopence issues. I have seen some of those in slabs definitely. Same can be said of other issues, like cleaning, on the same coins.
But Doug, in general, would you say coins that are cleaned and/or have slight issues like this are found more commonly slabbed on 18th century or 20th century coins?
