Hone your grading skills -- matron head large cent

tmoneyeagles · Jun 11, 2009

the_man12 said: ↑

What makes it too good to be a 25?
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Well, just what I've seen in the marketplace.
This coin could have graded VF25, and that would have been arguable, this graded VF30, and that is arguable, IMO this coin is VF30, and would be a 35 if it wasn't for the scratch on the bottom on the reverse, and the lack of hair detail under the word liberty. The rest of the detail in the hair, and the rest of the coin, IMO make it a 30.

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the_man12 · Jun 11, 2009

Oh I think it is a 25 but that is just my opinion so it's cool.

mark_h · Jun 11, 2009

Dang - it. I saw his answer while trying to find an answer to me about color.

Lehigh96 · Jun 11, 2009

Leadfoot said: ↑

NGC graded the coin VF 30. It was part of the Rasmussen collection (which may explain in-part the "optimistic" grading and slabbing of this coin, as NGC has been known to be overly lenient when slabbing "big name" pedigreed collections).
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Mike,

Does that make my guess of VF30 right or wrong?

Leadfoot · Jun 11, 2009

That sounds like you got it right to me. Well done.

Perhaps you missed your calling.

Danr · Jun 11, 2009

GDJMSP said: ↑

Well, look at the obv of the coin overall - see how there are dark areas around all the devices & legends while there are much lighter areas in between them for the most part ? Now that - for the most part - is important for it is an indicator. That darker color is the color that almost all old copper turns, and the color will be pretty even and consistent on the entire coin. So when you see lighter areas in the open fields, and in between some stars, but not all of the stars, it's a pretty good bet that the coin has undergone a cleaning.

Now look at the rev - see how the color is much more consistent and even over most of the surface ? Only in the center and between a couple spots on the legends is the color lighter.

Now we are talking about the field areas here in both cases - the lowest points of the coin on both sides. But yet, on both sides, the tops of the devices and legends are consistently cleaner and lighter in color than the fields. With a notable and important exception, look at the hits on the letters on the rev like on the D. See how dark that is as compared to the higher surface around it ? Even the gouge below the bow, see how dark it is in the center (the low spot) but yet very light in color on the high spot where the displaced metal from the gouge was pushed to ?

Well, those high spots are lighter in color than the low spots because the coin was cleaned. But the dark areas are not from dirt or accumulated grime - they are the dark color of naturally toned old copper.

Now some will say that the lighter areas are naturally caused while a coin is in circlulation - and to a degree that is true. For the color wil rub off on the high spots - rarely will it rub off on the low spots of the fields though. And never will it rub off in unatural shapes with sharply defined lines. Look at the cropped pic for example. See how almost perfectly straight the left side of the lighter area is, and how it almost forms a right angle at the bottom left corner ? Normal circulation doesn't do that - only man can do that.
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terrific post thanks much

gopher29 · Jun 12, 2009

That coin does not scream VF-30.

Eduard · Jun 12, 2009

Yeah, VF30 it is not. VF20 maybe.., but to assign a VF30 is way over optimistic. Just too much wear on the curls, hair chords and on the leaves and bow on the reverse.

Takes some of the credibility away from TPGs to grade like that IMHO.
Maybe the NGC grader had one too many doughnuts for that day.

PS- still a nice coin though, with pedigree!

GDJMSP · Jun 12, 2009

Leadfoot said: ↑

NGC graded the coin VF 30. It was part of the Rasmussen collection (which may explain in-part the "optimistic" grading and slabbing of this coin, as NGC has been known to be overly lenient when slabbing "big name" pedigreed collections).
Click to expand...

Lehigh96 said: ↑

Mike,

Does that make my guess of VF30 right or wrong?
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A better question to ask is - did NGC get it right ? My answer - no way. That grade was a gift.

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Hone your grading skills -- matron head large cent

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Hone your grading skills -- matron head large cent

tmoneyeagles Indian Buffalo Gatherer

Guest User Guest

the_man12 Amateur Photographer

mark_h Somewhere over the rainbow

Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

Leadfoot there is no spoon

Danr Numismatist

gopher29 Coin Hoarder

Eduard Supporter**

GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

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