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Message:: [QUOTE="GDJMSP, post: 652718, member: 112"]A good part of the problem that people have when trying to grade a coin based on descriptions is that they tend to misinterpret the words used. Words like - flat, clear, bold etc. Now I guess that's to be expected to a degree because words often have more than 1 meaning. But to determine what the correct meaning is you have to consider the context. Take flat for example - it could be thought of to mean flat, like a pane of glass - no curve whatsoever. But in grading coins what flat means is lack of detail due to wear. No interupting lines of detail can be seen from one side of a given device or portion of that device to the other side of it. When you consider things like this then grading becomes easier. But in the case of this coin I can see where the obverse description for the 2 grades could be confusing. But don't forget, coins are graded based on the worst side. And with this coin, that's the reverse. VG8 - REVERSE: About one third of the feathers are visible, and large feathers at ends of wings are well separated. Eye is visible. Rim is complete." F12 - REVERSE: Eagle is evenly worn. Half of the wing feathers are visible although well worn in spots. Rim is full." Now there is no way that anyone could say that half of the wing feathers are visible. But you could easily say that one third of them are visible. Thus the grade for this one ( the '23 ) is VG8.[/QUOTE]