Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;NPCoin, post: 3250545, member: 5629&quot;]Really, it depends on who you ask.&nbsp; Now, since you are referencing PCGS graded coins, you should ask them.&nbsp; Silly answer, right?</p><p><br /></p><p>Yet, PCGS did release their &quot;<i>Official Guide</i>&quot; to the public.&nbsp; The first edition was in 1996, with the second following in 2004.&nbsp; The Coin Show did a <a href="http://www.coinshowradio.com/pcgs-guide-grading-counterfeit-detection/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.coinshowradio.com/pcgs-guide-grading-counterfeit-detection/" rel="nofollow">book recommendation</a> on the second edition.</p><p><br /></p><p>When we look at page 26 of the 1st Edition, PCGS answers your question with one word:&nbsp; <b>Numerous</b>.&nbsp; On page 11, they warn that hairlines may be caused through mishandling of the coin and that the &quot;impairment may be so serious, in fact, that the coin will no longer qualify for a Mint State grade.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>Pretty ambiguous, eh?&nbsp; So, if &quot;numerous&quot; hairlines can still exist on an MS coin, but it will no longer be considered MS when the impairment becomes &quot;so serious&quot;, when exactly does this occur?</p><p><br /></p><p>When we finally get to page 41 (and the inference is made in many other places in the book leading up to this point), we see our answer under the header for <i>Mishandling</i>:&nbsp; &quot;If there is <b>no discoloration</b> and the luster is still intact with only very slight breaks, the coin still will be considered Uncirculated.&quot;&nbsp; (hint: wear is usually identifiable through discoloration...so when it mocks wear!)</p><p><br /></p><p>Let people disagree all they want.&nbsp; With regards to the specific coins you referenced, there is PCGS&#039;s take on the subject.&nbsp; Agree or disagree, it really does not matter.&nbsp; Grading is subjective!</p><p><br /></p><p>Too many people tout that mantra, yet very few of them practice it.&nbsp; Too many times people try to shove their own subjectivity down other&#039;s throat.&nbsp; It really only matters when just the two of us want to buy/sell with each other.&nbsp; At that point, we come to a compromise on the grade and accept a deal, or find another that will.</p><p><br /></p><p>You have seen <u>a whole bunch of “there is no set rule” and “set standards are bad for the hobby” and “the standard is always moving.”</u> because of this subjectivity.&nbsp; You were the one who asked, afterall.&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Edit:</p><p>I think I should add just one post script here:&nbsp; If the hairlines are caused by harsh cleaning, PCGS will <b>not</b> grade the coin.&nbsp; This is much worse than a simple MS/AU question when this occurs.&nbsp; This is plain and simple surface damage that makes the coin extremely undesirable for many.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in