Let's Grade The 1796 No Stars Quarter Eagles!

I could easily tell they were both pics of the same coin due to unique markers on each coin. I was wrong about their stabbing sequence and how they graded.

A regular smuck like me would have turned an XF45 coin into a VF30 coin with the kind of luck I have. Who ever did this was awfully lucky or had some inside help scoring a higher grade.

Some people cannot leave things alone.

The "booming luster syndrome," is one of the factors that drives me nuts with a lot of TPG graders. Some of them are totally obsessed with it. When some of them see a coin with luster that they do not believe is the result of polishing or whizzing, they give the coin more grading points. I have seen this happen on many occasions. They don't understand the concept about older coins that get a layer of toning on them which causes them to have more a satin finish. Instead they are totally enthralled with coins that have had that old patina stripped away for "shine" even when it results in hairlines.

As for those who thought that the first pictures were those of a VF grade early coin, you guys really need to spend more time with the ANA or similar grading guide. Most VF grade early gold coins are not attractive. They are usually beat up with a lot of surface marks in the fields. This coin could have gone into an AU-50 holder, and most specialists would not have objected to that. The center detail on that coin was not sharply struck up and a little bit of wear flattened it a little further. Overall the first picture showed an early gold coin with great eye appeal.