This is all about what you would grade the coin. I'll be posting 10 different Matte Proofs over the next week or two. They are all in early holders from the following services. NGC, PCGS, ANACS and PCI. I took these to the last Fun Show with two things in mind. I had Todd image them and was going to crack them all and hand them to PCGS for grading. After talking with a few friends at the show, I decided to wait on messing with a change in holder. Please let me know what you think about the image sizes. I had a hard time deciding what size was best for most. All opinions are welcome. Have fun.
I really want to call this one a 65. It has that look but the toning and the spots have to kick it down a bit. The spot in the center of the reverse makes me wonder if someone worked on it. I'm at 64 RB and that's a point higher than the label. I'll post the slab image this evening.
If you're gonna knock it down from 65, I don't think toning and spots are the reasons. The toning is even and warm (I bet this is a nice, dark red coin in hand), and the spots are tiny. As for the spot in the middle of the reverse, what kind of work can anybody do smack dab in the middle of the reverse of a proof coin that's clearly seen no wear? The dark spot looks like a typical carbon spot, and the kind of fuzzier lighter color also shows up around the letters ME in AMERICA. It all looks fine to me.
I almost guessed altered surfaces because of that spot. I agree it looks like someone has done something to it.
This one is going to get cracked. Not sure if it's going to NGC or PCGS. I feel the spot on the reverse and the area below LIBERTY were worked on years ago. Even with that, I feel it will get a straight grade at 64.
I hate to harp on this by asking again, but *what* work? What could possibly have been done to those spots, and why?
I am far from knowledgeable on the subject, but just quickly; Put a drop of verdi-gone or verdi-care on it. Rose thorn (or similar) to pick it off. Mild acid to abate a problem.
