Boy... I'd really love to see some high-res pics from NGC themselves on how they grade, particularly the 63 to 68 range. I gotta tell ya... I have a real tough time seeing the difference between a 64 and a 65. What do you guys out there use for comparisons when grading your coins? I've ordered a copy of photograde, but it hasn't arrived yet. Will that give me a good comparison. I collect Frankies and there is a huge difference in value between some 64 and 65 coins.
Unfortunately you won't find your answer in Photograde either. Photograde's grading standards only go up to MS60 - they have no standards, or photos, for grades beyond that. I would suggest that you get a copy of the ANA grading guide.
Very good advice, but without a great deal of study and practice, even this will be quite difficult to distinguish the difference in these upper grade coins. I have a question that I wish you would answer for me, and that is.. if you are having such a hard time seeing the difference between these grades, than what difference should it make if you went for the lower of the two grades. In fact, if you were to see a coin even lower in grade, why not add it to your collection also?
I would also suggest that you buy a few 64's and 65's slabbed coins and compare them with your coins and with other 64's and 65's-- When you get into it grading is fun even if it's hard to tell 64 from 65-- Speedy
The fun really starts when you send a borderline MS64 coin back 2 or 3 times and it finally makes MS65. Seems the folks at NGC can't tell, either.
Well that depends on when the last time was that they changed their standards. But to be honest, it happens far more often at PCGS than it does at NGC.
I must admit i'm at a loss when it comes to all the grading companies having different standards. Recently I've become quite interested in cameos, but it seems the only grading co. that acknowledges them is PCI. I know they are not considered one of the (top) companies by most collecters. Perhaps with more experience in the coin world it will make sense. Dave
Dave - All of the grading companies use the Cameo and Deep/Ultra Cameo designations. What made you think they didn't ?
I would never again buy PCI graded proofs...unless I can see and hold the slab. I have a bunch of their coins I bought on ebay (cheap, mind you) designated PR69 Deep Cameo that had carbon specks on them. Stick to the top services if you really want a true PR69DCAM.
GD, I knew that the top grading companies have the Cameo distinctions. But their seems to be so few awarded it,especially in older (50's & 60's) coins. Is there that much difference between grading co. standards ? Thanks for your insight, Dave
Dave The only reason the companies don't put CAMEO is because the coins don't have cameo...you see...it was rare for a coin before the late 70's to have CAMEO....the dies weren't taken care of like they are now....I wouldn't trust the PCI grades.... I have 1 coin slabbed by PCI and I think it's graded right but I have seen too many coins over graded by PCI to feel safe about them--I know a guy that just LOVES PCI and sends tons of coins to them....I wouldn't. Speedy
