Grading Above MS-64... - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,674
zakgold Valued Member United States 382 Posts	Posted 02/16/2005 8:47 pm I tell ya...grading above MS64 is really splitting hairs as we know that the differance between a MS65 coin and MS64 could be serious dollars. I have studied both Lincolns and Morgans and when it comes to grading them MS64 and above, for me it has been really nerve wrecking. For instance, San Francisco minted Morgans graded MS64 would grade MS66 if it had a New Orleans mint mark. Why? Quality control in New Orleans was poor where attention to deal was the norm in San Francisco. Now a "S" mint MS65 looks much differant than a "O" mint MS65. Same grade, but really differant coins and strikes. Now I have to learn MS grades for each of the P, S, O and CC Morgan mints Take Lincolns. Quality control in the 20's was poor. Soft strikes were the norm. What would be MS65 during the 20's would be MS62 in other years. AAHHHHHHH! Shell casings were used after WWII to make Lincolns...another factor to considered. OK...I have some Lincolns slabbed by the TPG's and I line them up. MS64, MS65, MS66 and MS67. I look at the color, luster, bag marks (if any), and the strikes of each grade. Then I line up other MS64 coins and they look just as good as some of my 65's or vice versa. Yeah, yeah...buy the coin, not the slab. Learn to grade, but when you are trying to learn and establish yourself a true MS64, 65, 66 and 67 grade in your favorite coins, it can cause "grading stress". But I guess that is what makes the hobby fun...arguing my grade versus your grade. Edited by zakgold 02/16/2005 8:53 pm Report this Post to the Staff

catman Rest in Peace United States 954 Posts	Posted 02/16/2005 8:55 pm Zakgold, I have never seen a buyer and seller agree on a MS-64 or MS-65 grade. The buyer always claims it's a 64 while the seller always claims its a 65. catman Report this Post to the Staff
longnine009 Pillar of the Community United States 1247 Posts	Posted 02/16/2005 9:29 pm That's why I walked away from market grading 5 years ago. Because it is too stressful. And as such makes the phrase "relaxing hobby" an oxymoron. And "gradflation" is a fraud. Report this Post to the Staff
Susanlynn9 Forum Mom United States 5877 Posts	Posted 02/16/2005 10:36 pm One of the reasons why I almost always list out my reasons for a grade is because, especially in the higher MS grades, it's so difficult to differentiate. My feeling is that with an explanation and big pictures, a buyer can choose to agree with me or not. Report this Post to the Staff
national dealer Pillar of the Community United States 2724 Posts	Posted 02/17/2005 10:49 am Zak, try something fun at the next show you attend. Cover up the grades and ask the graders what their opinions are. See how close they get. As one who deals in the upper levels of the grading scales, I can tell you first hand how hard it is to judge each and every coin. This is why I rarely recommend a grading book. While they are useful to a point, each coin is different. The Mints really could not and still cannot be judged using the same standards. During your rounds at the next show, look for some Dahlonga or Charlotte gold. Talk about poor quality. Yet if you judge these coins by the poor planchet or striking pressure, you would be hard pressed to find any worth owning. I really like your attempt at learning how to grade. By using slabbed coins, you will get a feel for what is expected by each service. PCGS and NGC looks at coins differently along with all the others. While one service may count the marks on the cheek or in the fields the other service may look to see how distracting these marks are. Some may choose to only count them if they are deep. Learning how to grade is time consuming and difficult. However, those that take the time will ALWAYS come out a head. Learn to cherry pick the old and low tier services. Good money and value can be found by those willing to take the time. Report this Post to the Staff
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