Can anyone explain how to best grade Washington Quarters?

55+/58

 

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What you grade a Washington should always be harder than what the TPG's grade.
I have always taken that approach when I buy them. Any hairlines will be visible even through that heavily toned coin. The heavy toning makes me think that it has circulated. Just because I think that it probably grades at AU doesn't mean that there is not enough luster left and has hidden hairlines. The dark marks of the tips of the highpoints say that it has seen enough circulation to be deemed at least a slider in todays market. I wouldn't expect gem from that one.

 

MAKING THE GRADE: Comprehensive Grading Guide for U.S. Coins. It's a great book. Very detailed with full color photos.

 

Grading these coins is a bear because you have to go by the surfaces, especially on the obverse where the portrait lacks design details. One of the first places to get a rub is on Washington's cheekbone. If you see the surfaces disturbed there, it isn't really Mint State.

Once all of the luster is gone, it you are looking at EF-40 or less. Beyond that, I would advise looking at the ANA Grading Guide or some of the other good grading books with photographs.

 

yes, carefully

 

Took me 30 seconds to find the wear on the top of the Eagles legs and on the claws over the log, two of the highest, most susceptible spots. From there you apply all the other grading criteria…IMO. Once wear is established, Mint State is out.

Best guess, agree with other members who said AU53/55…Spark

edited: …by log I mean the bundle of arrows, but it still looks like a log close up.

 

Based on having seen many thousands of circulated and uncirculated Washington 25c, I would guess XF40. Where you see all this subdued luster is beyond me. I see no luster, subdued or not, and I think the luster ship sailed long before you got the coin. Sending an XF Washington 25c to PCGS is going to be a quite expensive lesson. Read the comments on here about grading carefully--and believe them! I particularly liked the Moderator's lesson with the proof quarters and also Kanga's comments.

 

Right up there with Buffalo Nickels, IMO

 

Especailly at the breast of the Eagle which is a grading point of examination for Morgans

 

Am I seeing two rub marks at the base of Washingtons neck? If so, that would put this coin in AU territory. Are the hits on the talons bag marks or from circulation? Some very sharp minds and eyes have viewed this coin here but have not mentioned either. Am I that far off?
I don't see any hint of luster in these photo's (which show details very clearly BTW, kudos to the lensman for sharpness). You had the coin in hand and state it has rolling luster (cartwheels). I'll take you at your word. If I'm correct about the rub marks the coin I would grade at AU58. If I'm wrong I think the vertical scratch on Washingtons' cheek and hit on his nose would hold it back to MS64.
Great discussion, and good example of coin BTW. Is that a die crack at the top of IBE? Good luck with the TPG grade, please post the result when you receive the coin. I encourage all to critique my observations and comments.

 

Really not an expensive lesson for anyone, myself included. As I said I paid $16 for the coin so even after the grading fees I’m into it sub-$50. It’s a cheap coin and I wanted to test my “grading suspicion” that it was MS. I’ll post the result when it comes in. And the trueviews.

 

It's not MS in my opinion and here's why, the strike is supposed to be strong, it's a 1934 Medium Motto.

it should look like this overall in MS64-63.


The motto says it should be a strong strike, so between that the overall appearance, and the rims, it's been circulated, and it's got more wear on the reverse than the obverse. I'd agree with Chascat, likely 45, maybe 53 on a good day at PCGS.

 

this 1932 PCGS XF40 isn't a Medium Motto, or even a 1934. it's really important to compare an apple to an apple. it doesn't make a difference on the 1932, they all were light motto from my understanding, but it makes a difference in 1934.

Washington quarters were made in 1932, none in 1933, in 1934
the U.S. Mint's engraving staff recognized a design flaw, and only a very small number of the 1934 Philadelphia Mint quarters were made from obverse dies taken from this first hub. this is the light motto hub. ODV-001

Another obverse hub was introduced early that year and was used for most of the P-Mint quarters that year. This hub featured a much sharper motto, but one in which the letters were quite slim. this is the medium motto hub. ODV-002

As this contrasted with the heavy lettering used by Flanagan throughout his models, they made a 3rd obverse hub and it was introduced very late in the year that included a similarly sharp but much thicker motto (it is easily recognized because the middle point of the letter W in "WE" projects above the left and right strokes). this is the heavy motto hub ODV-003. this carries on a while til 1946 I think? then there's ODV-004 used in 1943 only. ODV-005 carries on after 1947.

Just going to say, it's like step one for grading to really know what you are looking at and figuring out comparables. a 1932, (first hub) isn't comparable to a 1934 2nd hub or 3rd hub.

Not bagging on you at all, Just hoping to teach, maybe give someone an "ahha!" moment. If you intend to grade a series or a coin, pretty important to learn the series or the coin.

obverse design varieties are here : http://www.varietyvista.com/09a WQ Vol 1/Obverse Design Varieties.htm

 

I had mine pegged as a heavy motto…

 

I thought so too at first and then I double checked the reference material and the W gives it away as a medium.

 

??
90% of the Morgan story is the Obverse, no?

 

No idea where this comes from but these are the spots of the design, besides the rim, that wear first and where to look for signs of wear.

 

You may be correct, but I don't think that is the criteria for concluding MS.

BTW, the heavy motto is easier than the Light and "Medium" variety to find. The Light Motto is the bomb. I know.
As to whether it is a heavy or medium, I would want to examine in hand, but that is just me.

 

It is from a very excellent Grading book that has greens and blues and reds and oranges, Oh My!
It covers many series. I love the book.

 

My first love, after she stopped (Thank The Lord) talking to me.