Weak strikes and grading

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by itm389, Aug 21, 2019.

  1. itm389

    itm389 Member

    What are your guys opinions on weak strikes and grading. Take for example a coin with clean fields and no wear that looks ms 65 possibly 66. Would a weak strike ding it down a point? Some mints and some years are known for weak strikes, im assuming the TPGs take this into account.

    Take this morgan for example

    Its a philly

    Has hardly any contact marks but a weak strike. Would you ding this down a point grade for the strike?

    s-l1600 (4).jpg s-l1600 (5).jpg
     
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  3. thomas mozzillo

    thomas mozzillo Well-Known Member

    Welcome to Coin Talk. This is a PCGS YouTube video. It discusses weak strikes on certain coins:
     
  4. thomas mozzillo

    thomas mozzillo Well-Known Member

    From time to time PCGS puts out videos on Coin Grading and other issues as well. See if you can sign up for their newsletter.
     
  5. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    It could, but the TPGs don't always do that. They have been known to completely ignore a weak strike when grading on a great many occasions. However they will often limit a grade based on other things like poor quality of luster, low eye appeal, unattractive or dark toning just to name a few.

    Yeah they're aware of it, and it is sometimes taken into account and the grade adjusted accordingly. They are also aware of when certain date/mint combinations are known for almost the entire mintage being well struck, and in those cases the coins are graded more strictly, tougher if you will, and the grade can be adjusted accordingly.

    And by the way, the '86-P Morgan is known for being sharply struck.

    I'm not so sure the coin is weakly struck - it looks like wear to me. And if they thought so too, that would hold the grade down.

    And if you're going to tell us that it can't be wear because they graded the coin MS - well, they are very well known for grading coins with wear as MS. In PCGS's own grading book, their own published grading standards, they state flat out that a coin with wear can be graded as high as MS67.
     
  6. itm389

    itm389 Member

    Thanks for your input. Its graded at ms 64 by anacs in one of their older holders which looks right. Im sure it would get a 65 if it had a better strike. I was looking at the hair below the ear on the obverse for the weakness. The reverse looks real nice imo with hardly any wear looking at the feathers. Everything can change when youre looking at it in person in good lighting. Its hard to get a good opinion unless the coin is in your hands especially when its between a 64 and a 65.
     
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