Coins with scratches on an NGC coin

Last year I got a 1921 standing liberty quarter, graded VF20 in an NGC holder. A nice coin, a key date, but... after I bought it I noticed a scratch at the middle of the obverse going through the drapery from 11 o’clock to 5 o’clock. Perhaps I got excited about finding this tough date. The scratch goes between 5 to 10 percent of the diameter. Without a 7x loupe you can see it but it’s not too bad, but with the loupe it’s there. The scratch looks pretty old and blends in with the coin.

Generally speaking, For a certified VF20 coin, how often would you see a scratch of that magnitude?

 

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You have been here long enough to know that we can't tell you any real information without pictures. Even if they aren't great, give us something.

 

Will do, My question however was general. I will have it tomorrow

 

Generally, scratches are bad!

But we both know that there is a lot of variation and subtlety in that.

 

It really depends upon how obvious the scratch might be.
I had an IKE Dollar that I purchased off of Teletrade that, upon closer examination, had an "X" scratched into the reverse. It was a 1971 that was graded at MS65 which, at the time, was a several hundred dollar coin. $240 specifically. The coin is pictured in all its glory on the PCGS CoinFacts site under cert number 12493268.



I sent it back to PCGS and they simply downgraded the coin and mailed me the difference in price from a 65 to a 64. Technically it was still scratched but it was not 'obvious' and as such, still marketable which is what professional coin grading is all about. Marketability.

 

Ok here is a pic I took from my iPad...

 

I can’t see it in those pics. I just see a nice original slq ngc is usually super tough on scratches while pcgs will often straight grade a old toned over scratch if not too serious especially on early stuff

 

I think the TGP's use a 5x loupe, and if it's not noticeable without the loupe, and looks to be 'old enough' they'll let it slide. Or, the grader missed it.

EDIT: I reread the OP's post, and then looked again at the coin. it is a noticeable scratch if you're looking for it, but it sort of blends in with the drapery, so they may have not hit it as hard as they would say a scratch across the cheeks on a Morgan. I dunno.

 

Here is the scratch. Fyi

 

Ah ok. It does blend with the drapery. I can see why it straight graded now

 

Overgraded at VF-20.
The reverse is about F-12 IMO and even if the obverse is a little better (F-15)
it can't net grade at 20.
I can't see the scratch very well. But if it is a bad scratch through a loupe I would grade it F- details.
I like the series and I realize it might grade better because they wear easily.

 

Well NGC graded it at vf20. These have also always been difficult to grade. But it is a low end vf20 imo.

 

Well NGC graded it at vf20.

 

That scratch is fine for a coin that circulated that much, if it was AU or better that’d be a different story

 

That scratch is acceptable at a VF grade.

When I bought my first 1914-D Lincoln Cent I noticed a scratch on the reverse. I told the seller that i would have the coin graded and that if it straight graded, I'd keep it, otherwise I would return it and he would pay the fees.

It straight graded F-15.

 

Thanks very much for your feedback on this. It was not a total mistake but should have looked a little closer.

 

If you wouldnt mind sharing with the rest of the class @Dimedude2 .....
How much dough, did you throw down for that example???

 

The fact that the coin is a 1921 and therefore a key date is also a reason for the TPG to be less strict.

 

Did not realize that and I agree with what you said.
What I don't agree with are the graders bias in that area.

 

Michael K - I saw similar appearances in PCGS and NGC 1921 SLQs.
Then again, maybe I should give up and get on Nutrisystem.

 

Early SLQs are graded differently in terms of wear. As far as scratches they did happen in circulation especially these smaller ones in the lower grades.