Definition of "Scratched" for Body Bag Purposes..

Hi guys,

I was just wondering how "severe" a "hairline" generally has to be to get the body bag? I have a couple Peace Dollars with somewhat larger hairlines that I would personally classify under "contact marks" (and I figure myself to be relatively particular about these things) but I'd like to avoid blowing a grading fee if the standard on "scratches" is extremely severe at PCGS/NGC. If you use a 10X magnifier and angle the coin the right way under the light, you can see that it's a scratch basically...

-Jon

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Even though PCGS and NGC may bodybag, it is also very irritating to get a ICG coin back marked scratch that is visible at 10x and only after searching for it. At least they will slab it with problem noted and graded. But consider that the policy protects us who buy TPG coins ,..one must just sigh and move on.

Jim

 

Alright...attempting to post photo...one just looking down on the coin and the other trying to make the 'scratch' show up (still not very successfully). I'm talking about the dark line that extends Southeast from about the center of Liberty's cheak.

Incidentally, if you see some other thing that will BB the coin, that info would also be appreciated. Knowing my luck there is certainly something. :mouth:

It's a 26-S Peace BTW...the other apparent mark that 'intersects the gray one like a triangle is just something on the plastic or something...)

 

I doubt anyone could sufficiently answer your question...because the TPGs themselves are very inconsistent and the answer varies by series (and even between business strikes and proofs). Not to mention the whole decision is subjective to begin with.

On peace dollars, I'd expect they are fairly tough in allowing hairlineS in coins, but it really depends just how bad they are. That said, I wouldn't expect a single line (unless it's more of a scratch than a hairline) to bag a coin.

Do you have a good pic showing the scratch?

 

Wow, just as I'm typing my reply above you post the pics! What timing!

Looking at the pics, I'd expect that coin would holder, although I would be surpriced if it graded higher than 64 with the hairline on the cheek.

However, PCGS/NGC can be finicky, and there might also be something I'm not seeing that they would.

My suggestion: Try and find someone with a good bit of experience submitting coins, and show them your coin in-hand.....MIke

 

Haha we are in sync Leadfoot! Thanks for the Info - I was essentially hoping for a 64 but who knows. The back is very clean and the luster of the coin is better than the pic shows - my guess would have been 64 obv/65 rev (64 overall). But of course my guesses aren't exactly worth terribly much

 

In many ways, your guesses are worth more.

If I might be so bold... Who cares what the TPG grades the coin (unless you are selling ) -- what's really important/valuable is how YOU feel about it!

Have a good evening...Mike

 

Also with regard to showing coins to someone before submission, I am curious as to what the etiquette is for such a request? Is there a particular fee that's standard if I were to bring some coins to a knowledgable dealer and ask for his opinion?

I'm always a bit hesistant to impose...

That's a good point too about submitting them at all - I'm actually hoping to submit this batch in part as a bit of a "test" to see how far off my grading is in general and I also kind of started a PCGS Peace set already and would like to build it if I can avoid body bags.

 

It's hard to see well in the photos, but how about the marks in the field between the "1" and "WE"? Also, the mark in the field in front of Liberty's nose? There are apparently other marks on the cheek besides the one you mention. There are also several marks that appear in one photo that aren't clear in the other - maybe marks, maybe not.

 

I would go to a coin show, and just be honest with a dealer (or a few). I think you will find most will be more than happy to help...Mike

p.s. From what I've read/seen, and please don't take this the wrong way, but "tests" like this more often than not don't go well -- which is precisely why I suggested what I did. That's not to suggest anything about your coins, but rather to share my experience seeing more than a few collectors over the years get a very expensive education.

 

I once took two coins that I suspected of being cleaned to a coin show. I showed them both to several dealers, all of whom gave me an opinion, no problem. The consensus was that one of my coins was badly cleaned, and one may have possibly been dipped but was a nice coin that would probably get slabbed. It was a good learning experience. I may have gotten lucky and asked dealers who were nice guys. But I think most dealers wouldn't have a problem taking a quick look at a coin or two and telling you what they think.

 

There are definitely a number of smaller marks on the coin. Overall looking at magnified images of PCGS 64's from Heritage I figured it was at least on par with those if the single hairline doesn't get it BB'd. 63's were far worse in my opinion - probably on the order of 2-3X as many marks/severe marks.

 

what you are not going to tell him about how bad the TPG's are at catching ignoring scratches some of the coins that are selling for a few thousand should be in body bags

 

Sounds like pretty solid logic to me (and frankly why I guessed 64 as well). Respectfully...Mike

 

What is a "body bag?"

 

That's when the tpg sends it back unslabbed/ungraded. The won't put what they think is a problem coin in a slab.

 

Hi,
Good photo, I see the scratch you referred to and it is about the size of the one I found on my coin that was labeled such. I think that if they tilt the coin, and see the shiny line of a relatively new scratch, they notice it.

Jim

 

Huh, better go and hunt down the PCGS MS62 Morgan I have with a load of contact marks on it....