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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 1631808, member: 19463&quot;]My favorite part of the opinions so far is the realization that the most worn coin (#4) showing the most clear outlines can hold its own against the more detailed coins whose surface irregularities make it harder to see certain things clearly.&nbsp; In ancients, I frequently find myself preferring a nice fine to a technical VF (or is it &quot;VF details&quot;) with a problem.&nbsp; Modern collectors are able to avoid this issue by denouncing any coin with any problem but ancient folks have to be ready to evaluate problems against problems.&nbsp; No one has yet mentioned that coin #2, in addition to having the best color, has the best crocodile eye while #1 is an earlier version when the crocodile was smaller so it has the best tail to head completeness.&nbsp; Here I can even find something nice to say about the two ugliest sides of the two least attractive coins.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I believe this new page will turn into a discussion of why it is hopeless to grade ancient coins.&nbsp; Special thanks to Gil-galad who was willing to assign letter grades which I find reasonable as long as you attach a string of modifiers like he did.&nbsp; Isn&#039;t it amazing how different two coins can look when both are VF?</p><p><br /></p><p>These early results make it hard for me to understand the modern collectors&#039; fascination with coins with blotchy, detail hiding toning.&nbsp; I found interest in the one comment that the crocodile is the reason to own this coin.&nbsp; Usually we think of the portrait being king.&nbsp; That would open up the question as to which portrait is more important.&nbsp; I suspect many people use this coin to represent Agrippa in their collection but no one has mentioned #4 as faulty because it is really bad on Agrippa as opposed to just weak in some part.&nbsp; Do feel free to continue this discussion.&nbsp; Also feel free to add on your coins of this type which show some other factors.&nbsp; I propose that this type is the hardest to grade/describe ancient coin.&nbsp; What other candidates might you nominate to go against it for that title?</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks to all who participate.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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