Criteria For VG-10 Grade Lincoln Cent

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bherring1964

do you believe that the coin you pictured is a VG-10 based on the details ? or is it because NGC graded it as a VG-10 ?

I ask because the obverse is weak for a VG-10 and really matches much closer to a G-6 borderline VG-8.

The reverse is stong enough for an F-12 ,but then that would mean the coin was given the VG-10 grade based on the reverse .

Do you think maybe this coin was net graded on the up scale due to the strong reverse ?

I only ask because when you look to the guides which are put out to the collecting community they detail a coin that matches the grade on both obverse and reverse they do not allow for this type of grading when one suface is stronger than the other and that makes me wonder what they do and how the thought process works to come to the slabbed grade .

I believe this coin was net graded and the difference between the two sides was split to reach the VG-10 grade .

If that is the case would it be the same for a non key Issue ?

as a visual and also in regards to NGC and its consistency compare these pictures (borrowed ) .

I think you will immediately see the difference in the details of the two coins even though NGC made no distiction between the two .

I think that the coin I posted is closer to a VG-10 than the 09, If the ear has not begun to pop out at VG-10 then what happens when you move to the fine grades and even more of the ear needs to be seen to reach that grade ?

The bow tie should be clearly seen and the inside end of it should begin to take on dimension at VG-10 because at F-12 it should be distinct as should the entire outline of the ear . but we can get into this conversation when we post to the f-12 thread.

for now here is my Idea of a VG-10

Obverse

Face cheek and jaw are worn nearly smooth some detail can be seen in the hair approaching the forehead , slight definition can be seen in the ear mainly at the lobe , neck and jawline are starting to define,collar line beginning to show a little more definition in the jacket , all lettering of liberty and date as well as the motto are bold , rim is full .

surfaces may have several nicks and dings visible , color will be brown ,it may vary in tone with lighter and darker areas .

Reverse wheat heads beginning to show some lines at the top but may still be slightly blended with only a few showing separation , the wheat stalks will show most of kernels even though they are worn flat all lettering will be present and bold , rim will be full .

surfaces may show several nicks and or dings color will be brown but may have varying lighter and darker areas .

The PCGS coin you posted looks close to VG-10 the anacs coin is very liberally graded IMO.

Just taking the pictures which have been posted in this thread from the TPG's do they look consistent ?

The New ANA standards are liberal , and PCGS guide is so vague just about any coin can be graded VG ,,I mean really the face is worn smooth and the fields show several marks ?

does the face include the ear ? the neck and bowtie ? the jacket details ? the hair and to what degree ?

the face is worn smooth at AG-3 and G-4 and G-6 and VG-8 with no defining details where do you mark the coin for 2 point jumps in grade ?

The reverse VG-10 a few wheat lines are visable ? what is a few ? their VG-8 says that a few wheat lines may be visable but they don't have to be . so what do you get for a 2 point jump ?