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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Regiomontanus, post: 2134094, member: 73743&quot;]I&#039;ve been doing a lot of thinking about this issue since it came up (again).&nbsp; I believe that if Sheldon had wanted a 100 point system he would have done so in his book <u>Early American Cents</u>.&nbsp; As I remember, he only wanted to use his system for large copper cents.&nbsp; Others picked up the idea that adding a number to grading all coins in this way somehow made grading objective.&nbsp; (I remember somewhat humorously back in the 1990s when I went to a flea market and a vendor was trying to pawn off a definite Fine 1909 Lincoln as mint state.&nbsp; And he wanted MS price!&nbsp; He said:&nbsp; &quot;it is all in the eye of the beholder.&quot;&nbsp; I didn&#039;t buy it.)</p><p><br /></p><p>Then comes the computer.&nbsp; Theoretically, a computer/scanner could laser scan the entire coin, count the number of minute stirations and cleaning marks and bag marks and spit out a scientific number based on whatever we all could agree would be an 85/100.&nbsp; Remember, a computer needs to be programed by a human being.&nbsp; We would need to program the computer to be very specific and rule out any subjectivity.&nbsp; But is that what we want?&nbsp; I think that is one of the beauties of a third party.&nbsp; They take the 70 point scale and interpret to the best of their professional ability.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>So the real question is, I believe, do we collectors/numismatists really want a scale that stretches the Sheldon to 100?&nbsp; Are there that many subtleties between a 66 and 67?&nbsp; Or a 68 and a 9?&nbsp; Do these subtleties make a real difference, both in value and eye appeal?&nbsp; Do we grade a coin a zero if it is a slug? Do we have two or more scales if the coin exhibits toning or an imperfect planchet?&nbsp; What do we do with those pesky milk spots?&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I am not advocating that we abandon what we now have or if all coins should be resubmitted and regraded with a 100 point scale.&nbsp; I am just wondering if all the effort in going to a new scale will make any difference in the long run with value and eye appeal.&nbsp;&nbsp; Redoing the scale would take an enormous amount of effort by many individuals both nationally and internationally now.&nbsp; Is this what we really want?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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