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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Jaelus, post: 1977875, member: 46237&quot;]I think for modern coins it&#039;s not so much of a problem since there are so many problem-free examples. For classic coins though, there is already some leeway. TPGs will slab coins as problem-free that have very minor problems if the coin is old enough. Where to draw that line is subjective.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you think about it, anything that harms the condition of an uncirculated coin is a &quot;problem&quot;, as in something that lessens the value and appeal of the coin. <i>This includes normal wear</i>. For example the problem with a coin in a lower grade is that it has excessive wear. This problem is reflected in the relative price of a coin versus one that is uncirculated. This is much like how other problems (cleaning, damage, etc.) are reflected in the price of a coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>The only difference between damage from wear and damage from other problems is that the progression of damage from wear is well understood, allowing it to be described with relative consistency. The Sheldon scale&#039;s weakness is that it only describes the problem of wear on a coin (excepting for market grading). As other problems tend to be unique in appearance, this makes them very difficult to describe and to price.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are plenty of higher grade details coins out there that have good eye appeal and are certainly more valuable than lower grade &quot;problem-free&quot; coins. I think the move from body bagging to details grading was a good move on behalf of the TPGs, but I don&#039;t think it has gone far enough. I don&#039;t agree with PCGS and NGC not listing the numeric grade on details coins, i.e. listing AU Details instead of AU 53 Details, etc. I think ANACS does it the right way in that regard.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ideally, I&#039;d like to see the top TPGs move away from this arbitrary problem/problem-free distinction, and simply list a grade according to wear, along with a manifest of non-wear conditions if there are any. For example take a classic coin that has an old innocuous cleaning that has toned over and has good eye appeal. Sometimes this coin will grade clean and sometimes it will details grade. Holdering it in a graded slab is problematic as the coin has been cleaned, but holdering it in a details slab is also problematic as it would hurt the marketability of the coin more than is warranted. If they simply listed the technical grade to describe the wear along with &quot;old light cleaning&quot; the coin is much more accurately described.</p><p><br /></p><p>As always, buy the coin and not the holder. The distinction between problem-free and problem coins is arbitrary, as the only problem-free coins are MS 70s. There are really only <i>attractive</i> coins and <i>unattractive</i> coins, and that is subjective. Just buy the coins you like at what you think is a fair price.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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