I am confused, as usual. These two dimes are PCGS MS65 But look

I guess I am really confused, yes I am pretty new to collecting, on grading. But I would have thought a coin graded ms65 by PCGS would look better than the left dime especially. Thanks for any advice/information.

 

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I can’t rally see them well enough to give a better opinion, but what you are probably seeing is the difference between new and we’ll worn dies. This has very little to do with the technical grade until you get into the 67 and up grades. The grade is based on the number of contact marks on the coin based on how it left the dies. Eye appeal certainly plays a roll in grading, but contact marks are really the determining factor here. You have to also remember that not all 65s are created equal, some are closer to 64 while others are closer to 66.

 

Thank you so much for replying. I see what you mean. The picture does not show it well. The left one has a lot of blackish on it, kind of like corrosion. It is not an attractive coin at all. It is impossible to see that here as I look at it. Sorry for the poor picture. I should have checked it better before uploading it. But contact marks have a lot to do with the grading? Is that the pecks, small scratches, and dents on rims? thanks again!

 

It helps to crop and post as a full image.

We can see a bit more and it looks pretty ugly to me.

 

Those pictures are utterly useless in determining the grade. Can you post better pictures?

As to the heart of your question, however - different coins in the same grade can have widely different appearances. Eye appeal is an important part of modern grading, but it is just one aspect. A coin with somewhat negative eye appeal can be compensated by very clean fields, a strong strike, or great luster.

And, even though you may consider the coin unattractive, someone else may actually like the appearance of the coin. I really just can't tell based on the pictures you show.

 

As others have mentioned, two coins can be correctly graded at the same level (say MS 65) but have very different levels of eye appeal (from ugly to neutral to amazing).

 

From those images I'd pay melt for either one of them. Frankly I don't think either one is worth the slabbing fees even if they are accurately graded.

 

Welcome to CT! The blackish color on the coin on the left is what I refer to as terminal stage toning and is considered environmental damage by some people.

 

That screams like it's a scan not a picture

 

grading numbers are super close too.

 

Thank you to everyone for the help and welcoming . Sorry for the delay in replying, especially after I asked for the help. I had company (my Baby Grandaughter) show up and, well she steals the show!