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Message:: [QUOTE="Larry Moran, post: 1035219, member: 4580"]Marbury... Here are a few of my non-scientific observations... Grading in the U.S is undergoing changes not seen in the UK, imho. For non-MS coins -- wear must be FLAT to be considered wear in the U.S., according to top TPG's.Nothing else would be roughly quantifiable or easily observable.FLAT wear is easy to defend, to 'guarantee.' A slight scratch doesn't really affect the grade in the U.S. or the UK;UK collectors are highly aware of the skin on a coin and cherish it.Any cleaning will of course diminish or remove it.  It's a secret that only a million collectors may understand.  ; ) For MS-60 and higher coins, scratches, dings, tarnish, attractive toning, etc. can affect grading;there, any detraction from eye appeal, including rub or decreased luster, even fingerprints, may be subjectively assessed. And many, even most collectors, give a coin an overall grade considering as many factors as they manage to notice. The rarer a coin, the more lenient the grading; that's where experts and TPG's come in;they often know the striking characteristics and progression of a particular die pair.[/QUOTE]