It's getting really tough for me to find these now days....(Toned Merc Dimes)

This coin is market graded. From what I see, the surfaces are clean enough to warrant MS66 and the eye appeal is off the charts. Assuming the luster is average or above, I would say the TPG's limited the grade of the coin to MS65 based on the weak strike.

 

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Ok, you guys know best what grades are nowadays. I know I sounded like a jerk, but I guess I am just used to that coin being graded lower due to the strike. To me, it just didn't "pop" like a 65 I was used to. I am from the days when most BUs were 61 and 62's, with a 63 being a really nice coin, like this one. 65's were just off the charts.

 

I'd say 65 is fine. The strike doesn't matter as much as you'd think in their grading. That's what the FB is for I guess.

Nice color on that one!

 

I don't think you sounded like a jerk, you simply shared an opinion. It is perfectly acceptable to want to limit the grade of a coin due to a weak strike. I was just pointing out that I believe the TPG did exactly that. Without the toning and eye appeal, it is possible that this coin could have been graded MS64 or MS63. This coin presents a grading dilemma IMO. The grading spread between the different elements of grading are so broad that assigning an appropriate grade becomes even more subjective than usual. I would give the surfaces MS66, eye appeal MS67, luster MS65, and strike MS62. Depending on how much emphasis you place on each aspect of grading, the grade can be vastly different from person to person. You obviously find strike to be very important. Personally, I agree with the TPG. I just can't see the coin reaching premium gem status with that strike but everything else about the coin screams gem.

 

Well the eye appeal with this toned coin I think you would be a little biased. I agree with you, I just thought that the strike would count for more. I would want much more detail on my coin for a 65 grade. You are probably right, I grade first on surviving details, then worry about other factors. I would rather have a good strike and a nick than no nicks and a mushy strike. It just seems the grades have moved quite a bit.

 

I agree that you didn't come off sounding bad....I have said for years that the TPGs don't take off as much for strike as some old time collectors believe they should. For me it's all about the eye appeal and the luster and color means tons of eye appeal....but for folks who want a solid strike...this coin would bordeline a dog so to speak....that's ok we don't all have to like the same things

 

WOW! amazing coin. Even if the grade is off you are mostly buying the color, so it doesn't matter so much

 

I might not know much, but I do know that is one BEAUTIFUL coin !

gary