Does this look like too much rim damage for a straight grade? Is it "deeply gouged, filed, or flattened?" How bad does it have to be to come back in a body bag? This is a 1908-O Barber that otherwise looks like an VG-8 (you can make out LI...Y). Is there any grace, when you're only talking about VG? Thanks!
That's a tough call. I could see it having a slight chance on a good day, since it's only a VG and a few marks and hits would be consistent with that grade (that "grace" you mentioned). And I've seen stuff with similar hits in straight grade holders. But on the other hand, that dent on the rim at 6:00 might be too much. At a rough guesstimate, I'd personally give it 20% odds of a straight grade, and an 80% chance of "details". Kind of a moot point, though, since a 1908-O half in VG range really isn't worth the potential expense of TPG certification. It is an OK circulated example, and perfectly acceptable for an album, but not really worth slabbing, in my opinion.