Excellent Grading Skills

These two are the same grade, MS66BN.






That is all, carry on.

 

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So, I take it that's your 2-cents worth!

Chris

 

I'll take the implied challenge.

The first coin is too dark for RB. It's a very old, very worn die pair. Many features are showing blurring from wear. I have no problem believing that I might think the coin Uncirculated, in hand. Maybe not, but we'll assume I do (otherwise I can see the argument is ridiculous the same as you ). I see a few hints in these (tremendous) images to make me think it's Mint State.

There are two small ticks in the obverse fields, one in front of the nose and one under ST, and that's about it. The reverse is poorer, three ticks in the O of ONE, one in the N, ticks in the N and T of CENT, and ticks in the N, E, A and C of USofA. I note nothing of real importance in the fields relevant to that grade.

Now, contemplate how close I had to look to come up with that stuff, relate it to the pristine nature of the rest of the coin, and argue 66 if it's Mint State. I don't believe there's a viable argument.

The second coin is a terrific strike from fresh dies, absolutely slaps you across the face, and is drastically undergraded. Condition Census for this coin is MS67, and there is to my mind no possible argument that this coin belongs among them. I've seen worse in 68.



The unspoken question is, do we grade against a goal of perfection, or do we grade against what that die pair is capable of at the moment of strike? I do the latter whenever I can, and I think the first coin is very nearly as close to what the die pair could do as the second.

 

I'd have graded the top one rd/bn.......

 

The unspoken question is, "If a grader allocates too much time for viewing each coin, how long will it be permitted before he/she is let go?"

Chris

 

In total agreement red/brown. I the old days, coins were red, brown, and if there was ANY trace of red: red brown. Really easy, hardly any disagreement between collectors. Decades ago, due to a coins value, TPGS's adopted % of red remaining to be red brown or red. Now everyone can argue sooner or later. Coin #1 is great example.

I don't remember the % red used by each TPGS as I don't collect copper anymore (always spotting). I do know that ICG uses brown-red (BR) on their label in addition to the other three color "qualifiers."

I would not give a coin with carbon spots 66 either BUT there are four more grade levels from 66.

 

IMO, from what I have observed so far, you and SuperDave could grade either coin in under 5 seconds. Am I correct? Don't be bashful

 

True.

No. The second? Easily. The first? No way, not a chance. It doesn't pass cursory examination, which doesn't mean it isn't worthy. Frankly, I think the TPG got it right, and I bet the grader didn't skimp on time, although for me with a 5x loupe that time would have been more like ten seconds than five.

Seriously; if I decide it's Mint State, all of the necessary extra time has just been used. Its' technical merits are plain, and not elusive, and a technical grade is easy.

With that said, there is a point at which strike rightly becomes a factor in grading, and I think 66 is the ceiling for that coin.

I am really teetering on 68 for that second coin, despite the little ticks in ONE CENT. I sincerely hope there's nothing wrong with it I don't know about.

 

Do you mean correctly?

Chris

 

You're Hired! IMO, It probably takes between 20 - 35 seconds for coins such as this.

1. Take coin from group, remove flip, and quick eyeball.
2. Check three sides, using glass for small coin.
3. Type grade into computer, enter.
4. Put coin back into flip and into box.

Sometimes they have "speed drills" in grading seminars.

 

OK, Am I correctly?

 

I believe the coins are on a compartmentalized tray, not in a flip. It is too risky, and a coin could be dropped or damaged.

Chris

 

Next time you are at a coin show, why not ask a TPG. There are no secrets here. Each coin is in a flip... but don't trust me

I'm like you, I don't believe anything until I see for myself. However, I do take the word of reliable sources AND EVEN THAT GOT ME IN DS about the NGC GSA bands. My error there still bothers me.

At some services they use black velvet "jeweler's pads" on tier grader's desks.

 

Hush. We don't want them knowing the truth.

 

I'll just pop over to the NGC forums and pose the question on "Ask NGC".

Don't worry! Anyone who says they've never made a mistake is a liar. Heck, I've made thousands of mistakes. Just ask my ex-wife!

Chris

 

Let me know when so I can watch for your post. I'm a member over there also but CT has taken all my spare time including Ebay

Ask them if they wear gloves while grading and which graders sit next to each other and in which room...LOL.

 

PS. I just saw your tag: Cannot Re-Member. I'd like to steal it

 

That bottom coin is stunning. Almost looks like a matte proof.

 

I know the people who respond to the questions and they don't work on the weekends, so I'll wait until Monday to post it.

I don't believe they wear gloves, but I'll ask. I'm not going to ask about who sits where. That's getting too personal.

Chris

 

You can use "Cannot Re-Member II".

Chris