The Big Four

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by lincoln64, Sep 24, 2004.

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  1. jimmy_goodfella

    jimmy_goodfella New Member

    i saw a couple of 2000 us 1/10 platinum eagles in icg slabs the other day for sale on ebay in ms70, didint know that company was a decent one or would have bidded
     
    jimmy_goodfella, Sep 25, 2004
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  3. Metalman

    Metalman New Member

    GDJMSP

    In answer to your question, I can only quote what is published, From the October Edition of coins, Topic,,,Grading your coins.

    MS-65(uncirculated)

    MS stands for mint state, which refers to a coin that has never been placed in circulation,An MS_65 is a superior mint state example, it will be sharply struck withfull mint luster,there will be no distraction marks in the field or on the raised areas of the design, the coin may be brilliant or naturally toned,but it must have superior eye appeal to qualify an an MS-65.


    Now Im no expert, and certianly am no numismatic scholar, but I do the best I can with what is available, Im interested in learning thats why Im here,
     
    Metalman, Sep 25, 2004
    #22 + Quote Reply
  4. jody526

    jody526 New Member


    Me too.

    One thing I have learned, is that nobody grades coins the same way.

    I use ANA Grading Standards as a guide, but my interpretation of the text may be very different than someone else's.

    And it's for sure different than Market graded coins.
     
    jody526, Sep 26, 2004
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  5. Machiavelli

    Machiavelli New Member

    usually when I grade my coins myself I drop them a grade even if they fit the ms 65 category I will call them ms64 or even ms 63 I am still learning the exact art of grading (it seems there is no exact art :D ) but once I feel comfortable to say what grade I feel it is I will still drop my grade a couple after I have decided.. just to play it safe I guess you could say...

    Mach
     
    Machiavelli, Sep 26, 2004
    #24 + Quote Reply
  6. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Metalman -

    My apologies - it was not my intention for my comments to be directed solely at you. I was trying to illustrate to everyone here why there is such a problem when it comes to grading coins. Your post provided a perfect example for doing this - as does your quote from COINS. Which is why I asked the question I did.

    You said you're interested in learning - so am I - we all are I hope. Learning is a process that never ends. That is why I posted what I did. With so many different sets of grading standards it is easy to see why there is so much confusion and disparity when it comes to grading.

    I would urge everyone to purchase a copy of the ANA Grading Standards and study it. It is the most widely accepted set of standards amongst collectors and to me it is quite plain in its descriptions of the various grades. I think anyone can easily see the difference between the ANA's description of MS65 and the quote from COINS.
     
    GDJMSP, Sep 26, 2004
    #25 + Quote Reply
  7. Metalman

    Metalman New Member

    GDJMSP

    I took no offense to your post, and no apologies are necessary, although I gracously acknowledge your sincerity.And thank You for it .

    I will take your advice as soon as my budget allows and purchase the recommended ANA grading standards ,, and subsequently be a little more informed and conformed to an accepted standard,,

    I appreciate all who post here the questions and answers are a great way to learn.

    Rick
     
    Metalman, Sep 26, 2004
    #26 + Quote Reply
  8. rick

    rick Coin Collector

    A long time ago, I heard a fellow quoted as saying that there was really no difference between, say, a 67 and a 66. He had said that the difference between those two grades are so thin, as to be completely subjective, and only used for the purposes of getting a few extra bucks for the same coin.

    I don't do much collecting of mint state stuff, so I don't know if he was full of it, or not. Personally, I find the aesthetics of a VF coin to be a little more pleasing in older coins.... But did this guy have a point, or no? I honestly don't know.
     
    rick, Sep 27, 2004
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  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Whoever it was that made this comment - they are certainly not alone. There are many collectors who yearn for the past when the grades were - G - F - VF - XF - Unc & BU. But quite frankly - that grading system left a lot of room for discussion. Which of course is why the grading system we have now was adopted. And no it was not the grading companies that adopted it or brought it about. It was the ANA and the numismatic community as a whole. Grading companies did not even come into existence until almost 20 yrs later.

    Now many will still say that they cannot - and don't think anybody else can either - tell the difference between an MS66 & MS67 coin. Well maybe they can't - but I can. And a great many others can as well. Personally - I think anybody can once they have enough experience with MS coins. But the ability to do so is certainly not something that comes easily. It takes a lot of study - it takes a lot of work - and most of all it takes looking at a whole lot of coins.
     
    GDJMSP, Sep 27, 2004
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