Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;airedale, post: 125872, member: 4695&quot;]Thanks Satootoko,</p><p><br /></p><p>When I renewed my interest in coins, which had wained circa 1980, six or so&nbsp; months ago I read the following link long and hard and although I do not know who the writer is this just seems to make good down to earth sense. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://rg.ancients.info/guide/slabs.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://rg.ancients.info/guide/slabs.html" rel="nofollow">http://rg.ancients.info/guide/slabs.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Since modern coins and <i>mostly modern </i>proof coins are my interest the grades of 65 to 70 are the area that I look at. I would like for them all to be 70&#039;s so I start to look for reasons that they cannot qualify. Grading standards like these listed below seem reasonable to me and if the coin does not meet this criteria I would not feel the obligation to own it. I have held coins in my hand by more than one grading service ( SGS not even considered ) that claimed to meet this criteria with their grade that did not <b><i>but</i></b> that was more the exception than the rule.</p><p><br /></p><p>MS 65 - This is the gem category. Coin should be fully struck with eye appeal. Either brilliant or toned but there should not be any unsightly marks or color that negates eye appeal. Any marks should be very minor in appearance. Prices spread out even further. </p><p><br /></p><p>MS 66 - A coin that just jumps out at you as being nicer than an MS 65. The main devices on either side should have no more than very minor ticks and the fields should be cleaner than that of an MS 65. </p><p><br /></p><p>MS 67 - A superior coin that has no major distractions to speak of. The fields should be near flawless with just the slightest contact on the main device. This coin should emit a look of satisfaction from the viewer. Prices increase further especially for coins with short supplies and strong demand. </p><p><br /></p><p>MS 68 - A difficult grade to determine by most experts. When does a coin become MS 68 but is not quite MS69 or 70? A very superior coin with maybe just a minor tick on either side keeping it from perfection. </p><p><br /></p><p>MS 69 - This is a coin that should create a gasp when viewed. There should be no imperfections to the naked eye. With a magnifying glass a minor mark or impediment may be visible. </p><p><br /></p><p>MS 70 - A perfect coin with no imperfections seen with a magnifying glass. There should be no marks whatsoever; the coin must look like it just left the Mint. Very unusual in early coins as the mint did not have the quality they do today. Modern coins have been given this exalted grade although there is debate whether coins can be perfect.</p><p><br /></p><p>It seems most graded coins ( the exception being a brief encounter with the SGS malarkey ) I have are pretty accurately described by their grader. Most 65 coins jump out at you as being well less than perfect and you can still find that nearly invisible flaw on a 69.</p><p><br /></p><p>I think there are cherry&#039;s out there to be picked and the market will catch up with those special coins at some time in the future. If that special coin is already in a PCGS slab ( unless you are the one who discovered it and had it graded )&nbsp; in my opinion much of the profit to be made on it has already been made.</p><p><br /></p><p>Time will tell![/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