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Message:: [QUOTE="The Penny Lady®, post: 729442, member: 16948"]Scott, thank you - this is a very good point and I have modified my article to include this.  Here is the new paragraph that includes this information (notice, I kept the "And"!):  [FONT=&quot]There's no rule or standard that says, for example, a coin with 4 minor bag marks and only 2 specks should be graded MS63, whereas a coin with only 2 bag marks and 1 speck should be MS64.  Or a coin that has a ton of luster but weak feather tips should be called MS64 compared to a coin that has a super crisp strike but more subdued luster might be MS65.  In my opinion, this is where subjectivity most often creates inconsistency in grading.  And the location of the marks or spots will also affect how the coin is graded.  The portrait and date are the focal points of a coin - meaning, those are points where your eye is drawn to first when looking at a coin.  So, for instance, blemishes on the obverse portrait of a coin will affect a coin’s grade more than if those flaws were near the rim, in the field, or on the reverse of a coin.  But how much this affects the grade can be subjective – if the spot is dark or the mark is thick, will it affect the grade by 1 or 2 points?  Or if there are several small spots or dings rather than one large one, how much will that affect the grade?  Again, that opinion will be subjective based on the grader’s personal preference.[/FONT][/QUOTE]