I just picked up a 31S buffalo that is a nice AU with no significant marks other than a tiny reverse rim ding between 8 and 9 o'clock. Also, if you blow the photo up more there is a very small amount of raised metal running for a few millimeters below the ding. Would this be enough to get a details grade by PCGS or NGC? Also, would it significantly affect the value regardless of whether it was slabbed? Even though this particular coin would not be valuable enough to be worth sending in, I'm trying to get a better understanding of what the TPG's consider to be a "problem coin", particularly if I had a higher priced coin.
That ding is pretty miniscule. As for whether a TPG would grade it, I don't know. But even if it would grade, it is worth it. 31-S buffs, even in AU, probably don't warrant the cost of grading from a market perspective.
