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1971-D KHD - Educational Purposes - Grading Thoughts

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DOCC's Avatar
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 Posted 11/23/2023  09:36 am Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add DOCC to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
Attemtping to educate myself on the varying aspects of grading in the MS level, I feel fairly confident in calling out circulated grades however have little in the MS space.

I think this KHD is a perfect example to work with; uninterrupted luster, great eye appeal (to me), and for the most part it is issue free.

Starting with the Reverse since I think it near flawless
- one insignificant rim ding at 0830, another stronger one at 1300, little scuff center shield, no bag marks
- I'd grade the Reverse at 66. I think the strike is somewhat weak around the eagle however looking at other 71-Ds, it appears common so no adjustment needed. Reverse at 66.

Obverse
- no rim hits, few minor bag marks. Abrasion at 1400 rim line and another mid-neck.
- I'd grade the Obverse at 65. Again, I find the strike weak but common with 71-Ds, no adjustment needed. Obverse at 65.

So does this average out at a 65+ or does it lowest common at 65? Do rim dings carry more weight than I give them?

Or should I re-read Grading Coins for Dummies. No need to be kind, brutal honesty will help me immensely.


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panzaldi's Avatar
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 Posted 11/23/2023  09:49 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add panzaldi to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
i'd like to see the coin with less glare. not sure if the scratches at K2 obv are polish lines but there appears to be scuffing in that area. spotting along the neck and shadowing across the cheek makes it difficult to determine any broken luster. also can't tell if the marks in the temple area are scratches are just hair enhanced by the lighting.

i'd say reverse is close to 66 obv 64 or 65. if the marks in the temple area are scratches then I have to with MS64 reverse might add a +. otherwise MS65
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 Posted 11/23/2023  09:59 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add livingwater to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I'm not very good at grading. Opinions can vary. If you haven't looked a PCGS Photograde examples here they are. There is a set of Kennedy half dollars to examine:

https://www.pcgs.com/photograde
Edited by livingwater
11/23/2023 10:07 am
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DOCC's Avatar
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 Posted 11/23/2023  10:18 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add DOCC to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
PCGS Photograde


Always a good source.

I also use PCGS images of graded coins for a particular year. Go into price guide - coin year - View All Images. Then I can make a judgement about relative strike strength, etc... Problem is some denominations/years are minimally populated.
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 Posted 11/23/2023  10:29 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add DOCC to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
less glare


Apologies, I have a heck of a time with lusterous coins and my scope. Scope always wins!

Temple and above ear is just light reflection, clean area.

However, while cheek is shadowing the neck is a bit broken luster. So while minimal it probably should factor. But this speaks to exactly why the whole process is so arbitrary, you look at PCGS graded 71-Ds and there is broken luster on 66s & 67s.

Comforting to know I'm not all that far off.

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Coinfrog's Avatar
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 Posted 11/23/2023  11:31 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Coinfrog to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Panzaldi sums it up well.
Edited by Coinfrog
11/23/2023 11:32 am
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 Posted 11/23/2023  3:09 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add IndianGoldEagle to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
From these photos I can't get above MS-64.
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 Posted 11/23/2023  11:03 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Errers and Varietys to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I'll say MS-64.
Errers and Varietys.
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