There are two of what look to me like shallow scratches from contact with the end of a staple. A long one to the right of the bust and also a short on on the reverse at 10-11 o'clock. They look dark in the pictures, but in hand they look shiny like fresh metal as you would expect. Are these significant enough to prevent anything more than a details grade? I don't plan on sending it in, just a hypothetical question.
I think ANACS will give you a numbered grade in a details slab but I don't think the two other graders will.
Sadly I'd have to agree. It's always a shame when damage is coin collector inflicted and not from regular circulation abuse.
Let's put it this way, coins with scratches that big should never be graded. But, if the coin is scarce, has significant value, a special pedigree, the TPGs often ignore such scratches.
TPG's are all one big chain-yank for $ It's either real/fake and a notation on the label / the "defect" if the buyer can't tell? I don't care if a piece is "dipped" or "scratched" but some get all bent/twisted about it.....
Ignoring a scratch, or any other problem for that matter, doesn't bring the TPG any more money. They get paid the same amount regardless of whether they cleanly grade the coin or not. But giving clean grades to problem coins, that harms the hobby, and indelibly so for familiarity breeds acceptance.
I'm fine with scuffs/scratches/etc if they're consistent with the grade, but then you see them slabbing a coin with an "X" scratched across the whole obverse as a problem free coin.... Maybe too much bourbon?
Very short, very light staple scratches, especially in hidden or less significant areas, will not result in a details grade. However, that is a very long, very prominent scratch in one of the prime focal areas. I would not give that a problem free grade.
