Here's the label from the coin in question: I asked ANACS two questions. QUESTION 1: Does the term "SCRATCHED" mean: a. there's damage to the coin that is not attributed to an attempted cleaning, but just to mishandling, OR b. there's damage to the coin that could be attributed to mishandling or cleaning but it cannot be determined which? RESPONSE: "The Scratched designation is not related to cleaning. It simply means that there are one or more noticeable scratches on the coin." MY COMMENT: Good answer because it's clear what it means. QUESTION 2: Does the grade "EF 45" mean: a. the grade takes into account the damage (final grade = EF 45), OR b. the coin would grade "EF 45" except for the damage (final grade = something less than EF 45)? RESPONSE: "The grade is not a net grade. It is, as you put it, the final grade." MY COMMENT: I'm still confused. If I put this coin up for sale do I price it as if it were EF 45? Or do I price it as something lower? I think(?) in it's current condition it is EF 45, and if it weren't for the scratches it would be AU. Obviously the easy way out is to list it with good images and let the buyer decide. OPINIONS?
I always took it like this (but I could be wrong); The coin would be an EF45 if it wasn't for the scratch(s), that caused it to get the details grade. *So the net grade would be lower than the details grade (if that makes sense). Something like: EF45Details = (Net Grade) EF40 depending on the scratch(s).
Kaqnga: You would list it as XF-34, scratched. Let the buyer net value it. The EF-45 is the actual grade. ANACS no longer net grades.
EF45 is not "the grade". The coin exhibits the same amount of detail as a problem-free EF45 coin. Since it is scratched, it will net grade lower than EF45, maybe a lot lower. No. Yes. How much lower ? There are no guidelines. There are several reasons. For one, not all scratches are created equal. Some are worse scratches, some are in worse locations. Perhaps more importantly, different people react differently to any given scratch. For some it's no big deal. For others, it's a deal killer. No. What they're saying is "if this was a problem-free coin, it would be EF45". Since we can't see the coin in hand, it's impossible to say how much impact the scratch has. Always a good idea.
Actually the scratches aren't that bad. More than hairlines, but not deep. Certainly VF money, possibly even XF-40. Not going to say more since I'm not sure whether I'd be violating site rules.
900fine got it exactly correct. :thumb: There are a couple of different ways the TPGs have graded damaged coins in the past. This is an example of a "details grade" which is what I prefer. With a details grade, the TPG looks at the coin and grades it as if there is no damage to it. They determine what the coin's grade would be if it hadn't been scratched in this case. Your coin would grade EF45. Therefore the "details" have been worn to a grade of EF45. However, there is damage so it is worth less than an EF45 coin...how much less is up to the seller/buyer negotiation. Details grading removes any numerical value from the damage which I prefer. The reason for this is not all damage is created equal. The other grading method is "net grading." With net grading, the TPG will assign a grade value deduction to the damage and subtract that from the details grade. This is an attempt by the TPG to assign a value to a damaged coin.
The details is the actual grade, so your coin is a XF45. However, because of the scratch, the value of this coin (compared to the price guides) will be discounted. Maybe the discount would make it worth what a VF sells for, but your coin is not a net VF. It's an XF that is discounted in value due to damage.
With emphasis on the "maybe". True, the coin is not necessarily a net VF. There's no telling what it is. It depends on the severity of the problem *-and-* individual response thereof. This illustrates a key truth - it's easier to reach grading / pricing concensus on problem-free coins than problem coins.
I'm actually glad you made this post. I was not aware that ANACS now posts the actual grade with the problems listed. This actually makes things a lot easier as now the buyer can make a decision how much that scratch is worth. Before with a net grade, how would could opinions stay the same and consistent when determinign how much a cleaning or a scratch effects the grade.
