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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,341 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
While this post treats of a classic US. coin, the same lesson may be applied to many coins. 1895-O Dime  Last night I sent my sister two photos of an 1895-O Dime. One I have and the other will be auctioned tomorrow by Heritage. Both are graded by PCGS as AU-58. Rosemary's question was: "How can they both be graded the SAME?" (She did NOT like the one currently being auctioned.) The answer came as I started to write this post. Only the Sheldon Scale is being used. And, that being known, they are the same grade. However, such a limited approach fails to take into consideration many other factors. Besides actual wear: Toning, contact marks, bumps, bruises, scratches, gouges, 'environmental changes' - just to name a few. So Sheldon, far from being the end all and be all number to use, is still just a starting point. Give me the old fashioned way of describing a coin. Coin #1: 'High AU with uneven toning and numerous tiny scratches.' Coin #2: 'High AU with attractive luster and no distracting marks.' Should they both command the same amount of money? I think not. "Give me that ol' time grading, give me that ol' time grading, give me that ol' time grading, it's good enough for me!" (Watched "Inherit the Wind" last night. Tough song when it lodges in one's brain.) Currently on the block: http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...057210572727Historical reference: http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...9&lotNo=8073Yes, BOTH coins were handled by Heritage. Edited by matthewvincent
10/31/2013 8:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
I'll take the toned one.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1654 Posts |
Tarnish helps hides flaws from casual observers.
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Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
I will take either one... Both have their virtues and I am sure faults...
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
548 Posts |
How else does a coin survive for 118 years and still be clean like the one on the right? I would be quite suspicious of a coin that looks so bright as that.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1432 Posts |
Quote:
Tarnish helps hide flaws from casual observers. One man's tarnish is another man's toner. Personally, I prefer the toner but I know that many members don't agree with me. BTW Matthew, which one would you buy if they were going for the same price? Perhaps you could start a poll to see what percentage of members prefer the toner. |
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Valued Member
United States
339 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
I think the white coins looks best, especially for its age!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8137 Posts |
I like the white one as well
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Valued Member
Canada
85 Posts |
These coins are very nice but I will go for one with toning
I will be suspicious that other was dip or clean
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Pillar of the Community
United States
595 Posts |
I think I would go for the toner also. The visual contrast, at least in the photos, is better and more striking.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
No toning for me, thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
The toned dime looks better between the two.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1949 Posts |
I also would go for the toned one
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Valued Member
United States
329 Posts |
No clue what that coins worth, but I personally prefer to buy coins over $50 that are slab bed for environmental and authenticity reasons. Having said that, if neither coin has any awful marks on it and they are graded the same then I like them equally :)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
One more reason the present system isn't good enough. A long time ago, not really to long, there was only G, F, Unc and Proof. Then slowly the VG, VF and AU popped up. Eventually as most know, a ton of deveations occured such as AG and MS's and eventually a -1 to -70 system which I could never figure out why 70 and not 100. Or even 1,000.
I would presume next there will have to be a Toned grade for Tonned coins as well as Not Toned grades. In additioin a sub grade such as a -4.23.
So picture this:
TMS-58.21 for Toned MS-58 and a .21 for more exact grading.
OR
NTMS-63.48 for Not Toned MS-63.
AND in case that one on the right was cleaned,
CNTAU-58.19472 to be exact. Sure does looked cleaned to me.
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,341 |
Posted 10/31/2013 10:49 pm
