General Grading Question

Hi everyone. For most coins I come across, the obverse & reverse would either grade the same or they would grade by a 1 grade difference. And that coin would grade at the lower grade. A few times I've come across coins that would have a 2 or 3 grade difference. Ex: AU50 obverse and a VF35 reverse. Would that coin still grade at VF35? Thx

Clutchy

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

generally a grade is give on the overall condition of the coin... to get a obverse and reverse grade separately from each other you'd have to grade it that way on the grading form and be as detailed as possible..

 

ususally they request a rationale behind your logic

 

The rule is, as I recall: the obverse has more control over the final grade, but the reverse can put the coin over to the next grade, or lower it if it is on a border.

 

I thought that the overall grade for the coin was the grade of the worst side. I could be mistaken, however.

 

Well, not exactly. If it is the obverse, probably so. But it depends on the series.

Market grading attempts to assign a grade to a coin that most accurately classifies it according to value. For most coins, the obverse is the "money side" so coins of technical grades MS-63/Ms-63 , MS-63/MS-64, and MS-63/MS-65 would all most likely be graded MS-63. But the later would probably be worth more to a buyer than the former. For a MS-65 obverse with a MS-63 reverse it would probably be a MS-64 . A MS-64/MS-61 would be graded MS-62 or MS-63, ideally. People prefer the obverse to be nicer so it caries more weight. A superb gem reverse could also boost a grade that is already marginal.

 

It has been my opinion/experience that the grade is significantly determined by the grading technician/TPG, seemingly dependent upon the value to the organization.

I recently posted the Obverse of a 1901 Double Eagle which was purchased on eBay, based upon believed "enhanced" images. Upon receiving the coin graded by the generally preferred TPG, I believed that the Obverse alone dictated that the coin shouldn't have received a grade.

My opinion was based on many years of collecting that type of "slabbed" coin, the extraordinary nicks/scratches/wear, and that I had numerous coins slabbed by others in low grade AU which didn't have that damage severity. I believed there was a condition disparity between the obverse and reverse of 5-7 grades, and the MS-61 grade given reflected the best optimistic condition of the Reverse.

The majority who posted in the thread supported my "over-graded" beliefs. Upon a proper presentation to eBay with comparative actual vs auction images, after return of the coin, I was virtually immediately refunded my payment.

I've numerous slabbed examples of coins graded by various TPG that support my contention. A prominent example is a NCS slabbed 1890CC Double Eagle by my experience having MS detail, virtually flawless fields/devices with the exception of some hardly perceivable all similarly directional "hairlines" in a small area of the Obverse field. Those "hairlines" earned that coin a rating of AU DETAILS IMPROPERLY CLEANED.

If the consideration given to the 1901, were applied to the 1890CC Double Eagle, the value differential would be minimally ~$10,000. I personally believe that lack of uniformity between the TPG is intolerable, and due for restructuring, so that general statements of expectations can be openly offered. JMHO

 

No. I disagree. The grading companies put more emphasis on the obverse, because that is the favorite "side" of collectors. Where do you get this information, Sir?

 

he got his information from experience. A rim ding (3rd side) will make a MS coin a details coin all by itself.

Coins are graded by all 3 sides. Depending on the coin, 1 side may outweigh another, but that's not always the obverse.

Another example is a 1922 No D Lincoln Cent. This coin is almost always graded mostly by its reverse.

There are no hard and fast rules. It always depends on the coin and the situation.

 

While this is technically correct IMO, it doesn't take into account net grading. Which right or wrong, explains some of the averaging that Coinman 101 is talking about. Yet another curve ball for the collector to try and navigate.

 

Can't really tell if you were mad in that post, but if I offended you- my sincere apologies. Yes, you have a very good point. Thank you for your corrections.

 

what about gemmed coins?

 

Maybe he's talking about the coins encased in lucite?

 

I think he means a literal gemstone with multiple (or more than 3) faces, but I could be wrong

 

[Imote="spock1k, post: 1750339, member: 7043"]what about gemmed coins?[/quote]

Im assuming Spock is new to collecting, as myself, and sees terms used on EBay. I questioned some of the terms used on there also, until I found out why they are using them. Spock, eBay rules state that unless a coin is graded by certain 3rd party companies, you can not give a number grading in the auctions description, like say the coin is a MS-65. So I think the term "gemmed" coin is an eBay "slang word"