Criteria For G-6 Grade Lincoln Cent

This is going to be tough just going up 2 points. I grade my raw Lincolns either G4 as "Good" or VG8 as "Very Good". So this is a best guess at G6.

Obv.: All letters clear and readable, Rims distinct, Some hair detail may be visible.

Rev.: Some upper wheat show on well struck coins, Rims distinct.

G-6: All of the critera for G-4 are met. In addition, the color must be even and eye appeal nice for the grade. A hint of a line or two should be seen in the wheatheads, not completely worn smooth (which is acceptable in G-4). The wheat grains should be fairly complete, worn, but the outlines fully present. No rim dings or other outstanding blemishes that may occassionally slide on the G-4 grade.

Damage notwithstanding, I would net grade that coin to G6 also.

The Obverse could go VG8 while the Reverse looks G4.

Yes - Metalman's coin is damaged. Those hits look like they came from a slot head screwdriver!

I still his coin could go G6. Thad's coin has a great obverse for G6. Not that's a VG8 because the details aren't there but it's a "choice" Good. I guess that's what G6 is!

Here's a side by side. My choice for G4 is on the left and G6 on the right:

I'm not sure I fully understand your question.

I thought I spelled out my opinion already. The G grade Lincoln has a flattened portrait. Most of the details are obliterated. The wheat tips are smooth, sometimes there's a trace of a line or two. For me, those are the two main criteria. IMO, those are the absolute technical indicators. As we've already discussed, other factors come into play, but they don't effect the grade nearly as much as the main technical indicators.

A coin that exhibts those main two technical features must grade G. I have yet to see a TPG Lincoln with those features and a grade higher than G.

The examples I've shown above both have those main technical indicators for a G grade. Although the G-6 coin is definately sharper, but it still meets the G criteria. However, it's defintately a more pleasing coin than the G-4.

I don't know that you can necessarily assign a "value" to the distractions at this grade. For me the eye appeal is more more important than anything else at the G level. The technical merits get the coin there and then the distractions have to be looked at overall.

Let's use the example you posted above:

The coin meets the G technical criteria. However, the surface color is very uneven and there's excessive hits. I'd also down grade it due to the reverse UNITED STATES OF AMERICA being so weak/worn, it's poor even by the G standard. I would actually net grade that coin to AG-3 due to these reasons.

HEHEHEHE...hey, this is fun! I wish more people would join in. I'm looking foward to VG-MS! Thanks for doing this Metalman.

Thad I was not talking about a money value , but when a coin is net graded each distraction should have a value if none can be applied in a consistent way then why grade coins at all .

That is my problem with net grading , the arbitrary nature of the practice is a problem and I think is one of the reasons why there is so much variation in grade from person to the next .

By the way , both of your coins technically grade G-4 .

I have hundreds of very nice even colored G-6 Lincoln cents , you don't seriously think I chose this one at random do you ?

I voiced my opinion before about a coin being net graded below the details grade , it just makes no sense if it can happen at this level then it surely must happen at all levels including MS .

grade and appeal do not always come together , this coin I posted does not appeal to me and I would not buy it , but technically its still a G-6 1920 LWC just an ugly one .