Observations From Experience... - Coin Community Forum

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

Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,480
SPP-Ottawa Moderator Canada 10463 Posts	Posted 09/20/2011 12:02 pm Earlier this year, I opened and went through a bag of 1963 Canadian silver dollars (1000 coins). The bag was canvas, and likely original. I suspect it had been moved occasionally because the coins were excessively "baggy". Some observations: - not a single coin graded nicer than MS-63. This should put in perspective the concept of 'grade-rarity' on heavy, large denomination coins. This mirrors my observations of opening a nickel dollar mint bag as well last year. I think in the long term, MS-64 and MS-65 silver and nickel dollars will be decent investments (except those that were available in rolls, e.g., 1939, 1949, 1982, etc.). - the better coins were toned coins. The coins that toned were ones in contact with the outside of the mint bag, and therefore not in contact with each other. Many collectors think toning hides defects, but probably some of the finest coins were toned, and then dipped (properly) to show how pristine they were. Learning how to grade toned coins is difficult, but essential for collectors of mint state coins. - lastly, trust your own eyes. If it is in a TPG holder, that merely reflects an other's opinion. Just because it is a TPG holder, or in a book, or on the internet, does not mean it is 100% correct. "Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert Oppenheimer Content of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_US My eBay store Edited by SPP-Ottawa 09/20/2011 1:54 pm Report this Post to the Staff

littlemoney Pillar of the Community Canada 902 Posts	Posted 09/20/2011 1:06 pm with you 100% on grading & TPG's SPP-Ottawa Report this Post to the Staff
numismateer New Member Canada 48 Posts	Posted 09/21/2011 8:36 pm Totally agree Rog, however , I trust ICCS (and to a degree PCGS) more than any seller. We mustn't forget these TGP'ers see WAY more coins for comparison than any of us do, except for maybe some roll searchers, but every they would be limited as to types they see. Report this Post to the Staff
SPP-Ottawa Moderator Canada 10463 Posts	Posted 09/21/2011 10:40 pm Jamie, I certainly fit under the category of mint state roll (and mint bag) searcher. I look at a LOT of coins... My trust for ICCS has dropped considerably in the past two years, I won't go into details, but there are lots of threads here that certainly highlight the low points. I am tempted to conduct an experiment, whereby I cut out my MS-65 coins in older ICCS holders and ask a dealer (who is a big client of ICCS) to resubmit them for me. The results might be fun, but I think predictable. PCGS is slowly gaining more of my trust, with the newer graded coins/slabs. Last year, I finally put my business strike nickel dollar registry set into PCGS holders - was it worth it? I'll never know, because it will be my kids selling those coins, not me. Frankly, I am happy, because ICCS and CCCS soft flips are simply not designed to safely protect heavy, large denomination coins, the mylar inserts crack with the first drop. Lastly, at least with my own experience, CCCS is all over the map. Sometimes CCCS is remarkably consistent and conservative, other times I wonder if CCCS is merely taking the word of other TPG holders when submitted slabbed coins, and sometimes I am left scratching my head with the inconsistency of the comments - this is especially true in the past 6 months... In the end, it is the coin with the best eye-appeal that ends up in my collection, especially with small cents. I would rather take a full (>95%) red MS-65 strike than a MS-66 coin that ICCS calls red (despite being 75-80% red). For George VI and Elizabeth II business strikes, a strong cameo in MS-65 is more appealing than a MS-66. I trust my eyes, and I buy a coin that makes me say, 'that is gorgeous' or 'that is every bit of MS-65 (and more)' rather than the grade on the certificate. "Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert Oppenheimer Content of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_US My eBay store Edited by SPP-Ottawa 09/21/2011 10:42 pm Report this Post to the Staff
numismateer New Member Canada 48 Posts	Posted 09/21/2011 11:21 pm Well stated SPP, however I I've said in the past, fear mongering toward all slabbed coins is counter productive. Having said that, I have noticed a bit of a slip as well with ICCS. A prominent dealer a few years ago stated that ICCS was grading modern nickel coinage "wrong" ie: too conservatively. To be graded MS65, the coin had to be virtually mark free, with at least standard luster. Recently I've seen MS66s that look poorer. Maybe that statement finally pressured ICCS to slacken. although I should mention, I replaced some nickel MS65s with MS66s that were definately better, so I haven't lost all faith. I've heard other strange stories of PCGS too, like they won't assign a grade higher than has been assigned already for a given date, no matter how good the coin is. Also, they can have "periods" of dramatic strictness. I do however, like their strictness toward cleaned and fake toned coins. Edited by numismateer 09/22/2011 11:36 am Report this Post to the Staff
kitkat1858 Valued Member Canada 371 Posts	Posted 09/22/2011 8:34 pm numismateer, Where did you hear that PCGS won't assign grades higher than have already be assigned for the date? I have a very hard time believing that. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,480

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

All Forums Category: Canadian Coins and Currency Forums Forum: Canadian 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 0.31 seconds to rattle this change.