PCGS MS-66.1 Or MS-66.9 ?

I think I remember reading that they give the + for coins that they grade 0.7-0.9 so in this case MS-66.7 to MS-66.9. There is always spectrum of what constitutes a particular grade and I guess they felt that this coin was just short of meeting the requirements for a MS-67. In any grade there are low end, middle of the road, and high end examples but for now they only label the high end examples. At least the green bean sticker seems to confirm its high end status.

I would say maybe the strike is the only thing holding that one back from a 67, like the detail in the hair on the obverse... Beautiful coin though...But also, I'm not an expert...

When the TPG's grade coins they usually go through a minimum of three different graders and a finalizer (the pit boss if you will), when there is a split decsion on a grade of a particular coin then a + or * will happen. I believe the TPG's will usually go for the lower grade and add a star, since they are covered by a buy back guarantee, that could get expensive when dealing with some coins where there is a HUGE price difference in point on the grade/price scale.

Also, then they will try to promote that all previously TPG graded coins really need to be graded to the NEW STANDARDS?

Take an extra-ordinary coin;

COIN INFORMATION
Cert Verification #: 25570969
PCGS Coin #: 3971
Date, mintmark: 1931-S
Denomination: 5C
Variety:
Minor Variety:
Mint Error:
Pedigree:
Country: The United States of America
Grade: MS66+
Mintage: 1,200,000
PCGS Price GuideSM Value: $2,250
Holder Type: Standard
Population: 5

http://www.pcgs.com/Cert/25570969

Then add the CAC sticker and you get a price of...$4650.00? or Best Offer.

Crazy!

Personally I like the idea of grading coins with the + value but not the implementation of it. Weve all see two coins graded the same where one looks a lot better than the other.

My issue with the + is I think it loses its value in the sense that you have to specifically ask for it and pay extra for it. If it was just made a standard practice as part of the grading process where coins that were close got it or if there was a grading disagreement and the head grader or tie breaker sided with the lower grade and the + was added I think it would be more valuable as a grading tool.

Far few coins get submitted to the + service from the extra cost which I think detracts from its value. The population reports on those will mean absolutely nothing since the overwhelming majority of that type of coin would have never been able to get the + mark from how it was submitted. I doubt we will ever see that as standard practice since that would essentially eliminate CACs job. Which again is nice to have on the holder but wish they would team up with the other graders so that decision to add the CAC sticker or not gets all done at once and is just a standard practice.

I too am confused by the "have to ask for it" statement. I thought it was part of PCGS standard system and ( like described above ) probably used as a tie-breaker when a coin is borderline hi but not quite the next grade - however that is determined - LOL.

I'm semi-new back into coins so the new grading is all new to me anyway. It would seem that 11 UNC grades should be enough but with the $ for some coins being a huge jump from one to another I guess it isn't a bad thing to add some more subtlety. Most of the coins I am currently collecting are kind of "out of reach" at 65 or over so in a way that eliminates 6 of the grades from my consideration anyway. The differences between 62 and 64 are not always that easy to "tell". But I can see the +'s helping some $ step-up for those that have say 100's or 1000's of $'s between grades. As stated, do you get into a 63.3 vs 63.8 kind of "debate" then? I can see a 32 or 48 kind of debate - and I do grade my circulated coins a bit more granularly than the 4,8,12,20,40,50,53,55,58 norms. PCGS seems to use 6, 10, 15, 25, 30, 35, 45 and maybe a few more as well. It does eem a bit weird to start with 1,2,3,4 and then start skippings 10s when there is a lot more variance at those levels than between say 62 and 63, IMO!

How about this. Suppose you own 10 coins, MS63 graded by PCGS, and all are 1881-S dated only. Then line them up from the best looking 1881-S MS63 to the poorest looking. Now, what grade are all of these coins individually? Are any of them more valuable? I've done it and it messes with your mind and concept of Grading.