How much of a premium is eye appeal worth?

HawkeEye · Sep 30, 2018

GDJMSP said: ↑

I think you're misunderstanding a bit. All told I think there are 9 different grading criteria. I'd have to write them all out to make sure but that's pretty close in any event. Now while that is true, there are 4 primary grading criteria - contact marks, hairlines, luster, and eye appeal. But the point is - any single one of those 9 grading criteria has the ability to limit the the grade of a coin - let alone a combination of them. And when I say limit it means that a coin can grade no higher than XX because of this factor/s or that factor/s.

One must also understand that every single coin is unique - no two are the same. On one luster may be the limiting factor, on another it may be contact marks, on yet another if may be that the coin is not well centered. Or it may be any combination of any or even all of the criteria.

One must also understand that when it comes to the grading criteria it's always a matter of degree. For example, when it comes to luster it's not the fact that luster is present, it's the quality of the luster ! Coins all struck from the same set of dies will have differing degrees of quality of luster - at the very moment they are minted. And when it comes to the period of after they are minted - that luster can easily be and usually is muted and even greatly reduced by outside factors like toning or mishandling.

Grading is very, very complicated and it requires a great deal of knowledge and experience to do it correctly. And of course it also requires a set of grading standards. And what those standards are define what the assigned grades will be.

Bottom line, with your particular coin I believe luster is the primary grade limiting factor. But another coin, same date/mint, could have much more luster than your coin, and still grade lower than your coin. And yes still be MS.

The point I'm trying to get across with that comment is that it doesn't matter what is normal or usual for a given issue when it comes to luster. That's because luster is just 1 of many different grading criteria.
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Not to mention the subjectivity of the person grading the coin.

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HawkeEye · Nov 21, 2018

Here is one I placed some additional value on and purchased.
From a grade perspective it would have been expensive, but to me it had great eye appeal and was worth some premium. A little more and this coin might have been "terminal" or just tarnished black. But there is some gold and magenta mixed in with the deep purple and I believe that combination makes this an appealing coin.

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How much of a premium is eye appeal worth?

HawkeEye 1881-O VAMmer

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How much of a premium is eye appeal worth?

HawkeEye 1881-O VAMmer

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