Posted 02/07/2012 06:17 am
Dear Ausjack,
I can only speak of those coins which are known to me. My favorite series, the Barber dimes, quarters and halves, are well known to wear more quickly on the reverse. Additionally, these coins are known to exhibit uneven and/or weak strikes on one or both sides.
In the days before third party grading such coins were give what was called a "split grade." A G/AG grade would describe an obverse which exhibited all of the attributes of a good: a full rim with all of the letters around the edge clear. The reverse, on the other hand, showed a weak rim and wear into the letters.
In the higher grades, wear is less a problem but the strike is more so. A very fine reverse with an obverse that exhibits a weakness in the design can hardly be downgraded to less than a very fine. But it is a factor.
In practice, and only speaking for myself, I would describe the first example as:
"Good, with typical wear on the reverse.
and the second example as:
"Very Fine, obverse weakly struck."
As for value, the two examples would be fair market value.
However, a "full" good on the reverse and a very fine "with the obverse having an unusually strong strike" would deserve a premium.
People who collect a series and study it are willing to pay a premium for those "atypical" coins which, while sharing the same grade as their typical brethren, "command" a
price above what the price guides say.
Again, for myself, I recently paid USD 358 for a coin which was listed in the trade newsletter at USD 200. Allowing the dealer a very generous markup would put the coin at USD 260 to USD 280.
The bidding on this example was strong!
Not only was the grade accurate, but the strike was strong.
And beyond that, the coin is just not to be found without a very long search.
I share your frustration and confusion. Good luck.
I can only speak of those coins which are known to me. My favorite series, the Barber dimes, quarters and halves, are well known to wear more quickly on the reverse. Additionally, these coins are known to exhibit uneven and/or weak strikes on one or both sides.
In the days before third party grading such coins were give what was called a "split grade." A G/AG grade would describe an obverse which exhibited all of the attributes of a good: a full rim with all of the letters around the edge clear. The reverse, on the other hand, showed a weak rim and wear into the letters.
In the higher grades, wear is less a problem but the strike is more so. A very fine reverse with an obverse that exhibits a weakness in the design can hardly be downgraded to less than a very fine. But it is a factor.
In practice, and only speaking for myself, I would describe the first example as:
"Good, with typical wear on the reverse.
and the second example as:
"Very Fine, obverse weakly struck."
As for value, the two examples would be fair market value.
However, a "full" good on the reverse and a very fine "with the obverse having an unusually strong strike" would deserve a premium.
People who collect a series and study it are willing to pay a premium for those "atypical" coins which, while sharing the same grade as their typical brethren, "command" a
price above what the price guides say.
Again, for myself, I recently paid USD 358 for a coin which was listed in the trade newsletter at USD 200. Allowing the dealer a very generous markup would put the coin at USD 260 to USD 280.
The bidding on this example was strong!
Not only was the grade accurate, but the strike was strong.
And beyond that, the coin is just not to be found without a very long search.
I share your frustration and confusion. Good luck.
