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Replies: 11 / Views: 913 |
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Valued Member
Canada
471 Posts |
Hello all, I've been using this on and off as a rough guide for types of coins I'm not that familiar with (most recently 25c). My other reference is Andre Langlois's book. It's obviously a tall order to come up with accurately graded and photographed coins for each little level in the pantheon but this site does a pretty decent job. I'm specifically looking at the George V 25c at the moment, in the AU range. And these grades seem a little generous to me. Curious for opinions about this... http://www.saskatooncoinclub.ca/art...ns-ver2.html
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Moderator

Canada
9460 Posts |
The source of those AU images is PCGS... it has been discussed here many times, how PCGS is very strict with mint state grades, yet overly generous with circulated grades (relative to ICCS and CCCS). Also, PCGS uses different grading criteria than Canadian grading companies. So you have to keep that in the back of your mind... also - that guide uses existing images from graded coins, so nuances like weak strikes and so on, are alongside stronger strikes, which can throw novice eyes off. Lastly, some of the grades are shown there, ICCS rarely, if ever, uses (e.g., AU-53). In other denominations, there are grades that I completely disagree with, and most of those were sourced from Coins and Canada website (e.g., George VI small cent in VG-8 - that is an F-12 grade in my opinion, and the EF-40 example only has the obverse and is definitely no higher than VF).
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Valued Member
Canada
382 Posts |
So let me just say the Saskatoon coin club's photo grade thing is an excellent free resource. Unfortunately taking photos from PCGS, NGC, ICCS and raw coins creates a large discrepancy as discussed by SPP as the US TPGs use a different standard then Canadian. With grading being so important to purchasing and valuing coins I suggest buying Guide for Grading Coins of Canada by André Langlois. It is by far the most accurate grading resource with full pictures available. As SPP said before it can be tough taking into account weak strikes of certain series or denominations as well as concave or convex strikes but Mr Langlois attempts to mention and show these separately especially when extremely common for a series. Nothing beats sheer experience and volume of coins seen but for anyone who doesn't get to look through hundreds of thousands of coins, this book is a great resource for only $45.
Edited by Talonbat 10/28/2020 8:23 pm
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Moderator

Canada
9460 Posts |
Actually, this is the book I recommend. It is simple, shows the wear points and is what I used learning how to grade. I still prefer it over other grading books and websites. 
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Valued Member
Canada
471 Posts |
I actually have the Langlois... but it looks as though I should pick up this other one as well - Charlton and Riley? I typically look at as many sources of information as possible, particularly when I'm making an expensive purchase. Anything that's already in my collection I tend to stick with approximate grades. When it comes time to start selling things then I'll worry.
Thanks folks.
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New Member
Canada
6 Posts |
So how would one value a coin if it is graded at a VF 30 by ICCS and an EF 40 by PCGS? This can cause quite the confusion.
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Valued Member
Canada
471 Posts |
@Fidius - my personal take is that value is a moving target. If no one wants to buy it then it's worth $0 even if it's an 1873 Newfoundland, obv #1, 5c rated MS-67 by PCGS [nonexistent but for the sake of conversation...]. And it's also important to keep in mind what is actually in the holder. I have one of the above coins graded VF-35 by PCGS. My take is that it's more like an F-15 or VF-20. But it doesn't matter to me because either way, it's very scarce and it's the best one I've been able to find and afford.
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Moderator

United States
94433 Posts |
Fidius,  to the Community!
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New Member
Canada
6 Posts |
Thank you JBuck ! Looking forward to the shared insights and experiences. Fidius
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New Member
Canada
6 Posts |
Just re visiting this topic as the notion of having 2 grading services with different grading standards is bothersome. I understand the notion of " buying the coin and not the holder", however how does one value the coin , based on grading, if one service calls it a VF 30 and another an EF 40? All of this in a way negates the desired benefits one would like to see from an independent grading service when different grading scales are used. Perhaps a conversion factor? ie EF 40 from PCGS becomes a VF 30 from ICCS? Then of course the seller says no it is an EF 40 and the buyer counters that the grading was too generous ! LOL...
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Valued Member
Canada
471 Posts |
@Fidius It's bothersome but it's also inevitable. The grading agencies are competing and, to have an edge, they need to do something differently. We collectors are all different in terms of what we care about and so different companies will try to capture different cohorts among us. C'est la vie...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
774 Posts |
I think a good way to handle this is, whatever grade you think the coins is, offer that money when attempting to purchase.
If the holder says its XF but you see it as VF, offer VF money. The seller can say no.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 913 |
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