Quote:
ICG is anomalous to me. They're honest, learned numismatists - Randy Campbell and Skip Fazzari don't need to take a back seat to anyone in terms of industry rep - but they're clueless with Moderns.
Not knocking your post about ICG or modern vs. classic but if you are a
TPG (or a collector) grading an MS or proof state coin the only determining factor tot he grade is the number of hits / scratches.
OK maybe on a classic it may not get a 67 or higher if it was a late die state or weak strike even with 1 or 2 very small contact marks but with modern coins all they have to do is count the nicks and bag marks. I guess it would be like the copper red / red brown / brown disclaimer as to what percentage of the coin is red vs. brown. I think the same would apply here: how many marks, how long or deep, are they in the fields or hidden in the profile, etc.