Has this ever happened to you (grade jump) when examining a coin?
Insider2
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I just took a 1920 Buffalo nickel out of its holder. It has a clip. My gut reaction said genuine, XF-40. This is the normal time many are said to examine a coin - under seven seconds. I looked again and took a little longer (perhaps another five seconds) and XF-45 seemed much better. Next, I imaged parts of the coin (about 45 seconds) under the scope for a future column. That made me look again, this time using the scope (under six seconds) set at about 8X magnification, I realized I might be a little tough on the coin. Then, after using my 7X hand lens again (another few seconds) I bumped the grade to AU! Solid AU and that's where I should have been all along. XF-40 to AU-53 is thirteen points. The clip caused the coin to look a lower grade due to its strike. 
It took about twenty-two seconds (not counting image time) to get the grade correct. I'll bet this is a luxury that many of my peers don't have. 
I cannot wait to see what the other graders and finalize thinks about my opinion.
Comments
You should have kept looking at it until it got up to a MS grade.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Takes awhile for that lunchtime martini to kick in?
More to the point....the "odd" coins, (clips, weak strikes, excessively worn dies), probably do require more time and consideration.
look again, MS-63+
BHNC #203
It's happened to me. Except the coin went from 53 to a 40
That's been my experience...
Sounds like a future MS-68+ to me!
Interesting !!!
As a general rule, a quick assessment of a coin reveals it's true grade. Adding extra time to the review normally results in finding more issues, hence, lowers the grade.
Insider, like most true connoisseurs of quality coins, I have no doubt you spend hours looking at coins as others spend their time watching the boob tube! The only problem doing that is that you need more magnification and thicker glasses in time, think "coke bottles" thickness.
LOL, I've been blessed with being born Nearsighted. Additionally, thank God I'm not colorblind!
I'm using 1-1.25 reading glasses still. But I still can't "see" grades like an expert.
I find in those situations that I'm generally better served by my gut and going down from there if further inspection uncovers a problem. Perhaps I'm a serial overgrader at heart and you are more conservative in approach and to each their own.
After a 12 pack I see MS66 on every coin.
Hoard the keys.
I hope that I do not get a dis agree for this but
@Insider2 ..................I love your posts, they always make me think.
edited to add ........................................"and learn new things"
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It usually works the other way around for me.....the longer I examine a candidate (coin); the outcome becomes less favorable (for the coin).
While reading the post, I thought it was going in a different direction, thinking the more you looked at the clip. It looked like it was "post mint" But I get your point.
I think the grading room has a few different standards, as far as time limits and the the expected turn around times depending on what is in front of them.
I mean the guy with a monster box of 2018 ASEs, and another gets a couple key date 5 figure coins, can't be Spending equal amounts of time, on a per coin basis.
It's all relative, at least I hope it is.
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It's not happened to me personally, but many dealers have a double digit grading swing when buying versus selling coins.
Many ex-dealers did too
Highly enthusiastic about world coins, contemporary circulating counterfeits and unusual stuff
After a 12 pack I would imagine that every coin looks like a doubled die.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Yup. Before third party grading came along, the poor coin dealer had to learn two different grading standards---one for buying and another for selling. The major coin grading services have pretty much made this requirement obsolete except for those coin dealers who primarily sell raw coins.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Well, I learned something new from this thread. A guaranteed way to make your coins look better is to exchange your magnifier/loupe for a pair of beer goggles.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@1630Boston said: "I hope that I do not get a disagree for this..."
Thank you. The fact that you even needed to consider this happening tells me there are members here who can do things that destroy the purpose of CU. There is a difference between stating a preference (something that should not be disagreed with) and stating something you believe to be true that others can disagree with and provide reasons.
@BruceS said: "I think the grading room has a few different standards, as far as time limits and the the expected turn around times depending on what is in front of them. I mean the guy with a monster box of 2018 ASEs, and another gets a couple key date 5 figure coins, can't be Spending equal amounts of time, on a per coin basis.
So true and know that the guy grading the SE is not even seeing the $$$$$.
This is usually the case.
@Insider2
That was tongue in cheek, I don't mind disagrees but I still can not figure out how or why I got flagged with "Abuse"
I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable day today.
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Bad transactions with : nobody to date
I need to get to the eye doctor. I takes me 22 seconds just to focus on a coin lately it seems.
Your time as a grader and being in the industry certainly shows. There are a few series once I focus I can grade quickly, but unless I’m sorting a huge batch of stuff, I usually take much more time, and if at home, USB scope about everything.
I grade and mark the 2x2 then lookup the prices... if it’s one of those huge price jumps between grades I often times try to convince myself it’s the higher of the two, but usually go with first gut feeling.
Although I had a raw coin in my case as an “AU++” for years for about $100. Went to Great Collections and came back Wednesday as an MS64 (Guide about $550). So from now on, I’m sending any tweeners to you or GC to “get the grade”
"You Suck Award" - February, 2015
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When grading a coin, I get an initial impression... then, upon closer examination, it either holds or drops one or two grades.... I have not had it go the opposite way....I think that would be better though... being more critical initially...I will try that for a while and see how I do. Cheers, RickO
This sort of thing can easily happen when looking at a coin that has a mediocre strike.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]