What Constitutes A "Star" Or "Plus" Designation In Grading?

For PCGS + means exceptional eye appeal. For NGC + means it's a tweener grade (e.g. a MS66+ is almost an MS67). For NGC, a * designation means exception eye appeal, which could be colorful toning or proof-like surface.

I have an MS66FB* 1944-D Mercury dime with really unusual luster - it's blast-white with a glossy, proof-like surface, but it has an unusual sparkly luster that appears like it's underneath the surface. It's hard to capture in pictures - it mostly looks like a normal MS dime - but in person it's stunning. I suspect others that are star designated but don't appear special in pictures have some kind of unusual and attractive luster.

I don't think your dime would get a *, but it's really a crapshoot. That kind of pinkish/purplish toning isn't that uncommon with Mercury dimes.

I was just looking at both PCGS and NGC and they pretty much say the same thing with regard to plus grades. They both state that the coin must be at the high end of its technical grade and have very good eye appeal. NGC gives the star for exceptional eye appeal. I am not completely sure but I think all the graders must give it a star or it does not get one.

I posted the wrong obverse picture by mistake. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I can't believe I didn't notice...

Here is the correct obverse picture.

Well now, that's a good question. First you would need to have PCGS grade them all at the same or higher grade. From experience and observation that's about a 50% proposition. Adding in all the associated costs, I'd recommend you leave them as they are.

There are just too many varialbles to answer your first question and support it with data. But you can reach your own conclusions by conducting tests. Find two coins (same type/mintmark, grade and eye appeal) with one in a PCGS holder and one in a NGC holder. Bookmark them and compare at auction close. Do this enough times and you'll get the idea. Right or wrong (always evaluate the coin in the holder and not the holder) public perception seems to swing towards PCGS more frequently.

Seated Nut: It does seem like PCGS coins garner a higher price than NGC coins, all things being equal.

I think I will try your idea. I would like to conduct the test using my own coins since I would have them in hand to compare. I'll have to decide where to conduct the test

I really can't afford ebay anymore. Even though I have a perfect record, I am tired of the nearly 30% in fees. As of yet, I have not found another place to readily unload my duplicates and other coins, etc... I am sitting on a mountain of inventory, any ideas?

Perhaps I will use TeleTrade as the 'market place' for the test. Thanks for the tip and your thoughts!