Coin Grading Vs Stamp Grading - Centering And Other Eye Appeal Factors

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 998
numismatic student Bedrock of the Community United States 11896 Posts	Posted 08/23/2021 4:33 pm I grew up collecting stamps which was a much more popular hobby when I was growing up than it is now. There are many parallels in the hobby, both are produced and issued by the government, error collecting is popular in both, there is keen interest in how these collectibles were produced and how historic events affected issuance. I was thinking about how some grading concepts translate and others don't, or maybe don't to the same degree. For example, in stamp collecting, the impression has to be completely centered between the perforated or cut edges to obtain a high grade. I think coin collecting is more lenient on this as the rim can vary in thickness and have less than a perfectly centered strike, especially in early issues, and still be a superb gem. Why is that? Just collector preference? Anything from stamp grading that can help us become more attentive to detail when grading coins? Do you just consider it a completely separate hobby with a separate set of rules? Is there overlap? Sad that stamp collecting of anything but the most famous issues is in such doldrums. Report this Post to the Staff

jacrispies Pillar of the Community United States 3848 Posts	Posted 08/24/2021 12:07 am Interesting thoughts. I find strike and centering more of a preference in coin collecting. I would prefer a nicely struck, centered bust half dollar as opposed to a late die state strike that is a little off center. But sometimes I can't be that picky! Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955 Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. Report this Post to the Staff
halfamind Pillar of the Community United States 1496 Posts	Posted 08/24/2021 5:43 pm Great topic. Didn't have time to comment yesterday. Philately and numismatics have evolved differently. Sometimes I wish we could take some of the better aspects of one hobby and transfer them to the other. Personally, I think coin collectors would benefit from a cataloguing or numbering system, like we have with U.S. stamps. As a side note, collectors of both fall victim to the hysteria and hype surrounding errors such as the 1955 doubled die Lincoln Wheat cent and the 1918 inverted Jenny. Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7276 Posts	Posted 08/24/2021 5:59 pm There are several differences between coins and stamps. Stamps and currency are more inline, as an example the below note while crisp and uncirculated only merits an MS 63 as the margins aren't great: Compared to this note which has essentially perfect margins So stamps and currency you can use the centering more. With coins we don't have a cutter, we have a large metal machine pretty much smash 3 pieces of metal together, even though most are pretty well centered (especially on new coins), but in essence unless the coin is perfectly centered you won't get the perfect grade. Issues with coins also relate to the wear on the die, in use, scratches and various other items. You really can't reuse stamps, but you can reuse coins. My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
numismatic student Bedrock of the Community United States 11896 Posts	Posted 08/24/2021 7:04 pm Thanks! But I'm looking at the MS63 silver certificate and it looks perfectly centered to me. I guess I don't have that "centering feel" you have. I was referring more to these... when you find one it is an ugly duck But one of these in coin collecting is an error and becomes much more valuable Edited by numismatic student 08/24/2021 7:26 pm Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7276 Posts	Posted 08/24/2021 9:05 pm Like I posted above the stamp and currency lose value as they are cut/preforated, unless the cut is an error (into the design) it will lose value as it's not perfect. A coin generally has to be well centered by virtue of how it's made, if it's not made well essentially you have an error and more value. What you have to look at extremes of centering, well center = better, off center = ugh, cutting into the design= error and more value. My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
hfjacinto Pillar of the Community United States 7276 Posts	Posted 08/24/2021 9:08 pm As to the MS63 note the top and right margins are larger than the bottom and left margin. My Slabbed Dansco 7070 with Gold Page My Slabbed IHC Set My Slabbed 20th Century Type Set Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 998

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Classic and Colonial Coin Grading

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.27 seconds to rattle this change.