8/20/2018 Week's Coin Patent - The MAC / MACGE Sticker Patent
MsMorrisine
Posts: 35,745 ✭✭✭✭✭
patent 9,500,595
Abstract
Grade enhancement of mint grade and proof-like coins is disclosed based on a determination of an indication that the coin was a "first strike" coin. First strike is defined by the first 10% or less of coins struck by the same die and may be determined by the location of a physical attribute of the coin present in at most 10% of similar coins struck by the same die. First strike in proof-like coins may be determined by frosted white cameo.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of 60 concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one embodiment, enhanced grading of a mint state coin is based on a determinable structural aspect of the mint state coin resulting from a "first strike" of a die and found on only a small percentage of coins in a particular Sheldon Scale mint state grade.
In one aspect, a "first strike" is defined as a strike made early in the run of a die which is reflected in a physical attribute of the resulting coin such that at most 10% of coins struck on that die have that physical attribute. In older or "traditional" coins (defined as struck prior to 1960), typi¬cally less than 2% of coins were struck with a first strike such that they retain particular physical attributes as described in more detail below. In some cases, such as during war time when more coins were struck with each die, less than 1% of the coins struck by a die were struck with a first strike. In modern coins (struck in 1960 and thereafter), only up to 10% of the coins struck are struck with a first strike.
In one embodiment, a first strike of a mint coin is revealed by the detail provided by the device of the die seen on the resulting coin.
In one embodiment specific to proof-like coins where a die is polished with diamond dust prior to striking of coins, a first strike of a mint coin is revealed by the cameo of the coin resulting from the strike.
Multiple examples of a determinable structural aspect resulting from a first strike coin are provided. Examples include, among others: the presence of four bottom steps separated by a line on the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse of the Lincoln cent (1958 to 2008); a full spread of the end of the tail tassels of the buffalo on the reverse of the Buffalo Nickel (1913 to 1938); four fully separated steps or at least 90% separation of five steps of the Jefferson Memorial Steps on the reverse of the Jefferson nickel (1938 to present); a torch with full bands at the top and 90% of the bands and cross bands in the middle and bottom of the torch on the reverse of the Mercury dime (1916 to 1945); 90% of Lady Liberty's head and hair braids visible on the front of the Standing Liberty quarter (1916 to 1930); an eagle's beak with 50% of the top and bottom of the beak separated and defined on the reverse of a Washington quarter (1932 to 1998); a Lady Liberty right arm extending down across her waistline with her hand and thumb defined around the wreath stems with the thumb having separation from the hand and the wheat line through the hand defined on the obverse of a Walking Liberty half dollar (1916 to 1947); a Morgan dollar between (1878 to 1921), Sheldon Scale 64 (or higher), where the obverse provides detail of Lady Liberty's ear and hair curls over and around the ear having depth, and the reverse provides visible breast feathers; and a Peace Dollar (1921-1935), Sheldon Scale 64 (or higher), where the obverse provides sharp hair detail from Lady Liberty's crown along her face and past the nape of her neck and the reverse provides distinct layers of wing feathers and distinct feather in the wing layers and tail. In each case, the presence of the defined structural aspects of the mint coin are indica¬tive of a high pressure strike that structurally distinguishes the coin from at least 90% of all similar coins struck on the same die, thereby rendering the coin more rare and valuable.
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.
Comments
What is claimed is:
1. A method for grade enhancement of a mint state coin, comprising:
inspecting the mint state coin to either provide a Sheldon grade, to confirm a previously granted Sheldon grade, or to confirm that a Sheldon grade certification exists for the mint state coin; inspecting at least one of the obverse and the reverse of the mint state coin; determining whether the mint state coin is a first strike coin; and affixing a sticker on a slab containing the mint state coin and indicating a grade enhancement for the mint state coin only if the mint state coin is a first strike coin.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a U.S. Lincoln cent 1958 to 2008, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Lincoln cent 1958 to 2008 having an image of the Lincoln Memorial, and
said determining comprises determining whether the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse of the Lincoln cent show visible top and bottom steps with the four bottom steps being separated by complete lines.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a U.S. Buffalo nickel 1913 to 1938, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Buffalo nickel 1913 to 1938 having an image of a buffalo with a tail, and
said determining comprises determining whether the tail of the buffalo on the reverse exhibits a full spread (90% to 100%) of the end of the tail tassels.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later having an image of Monticello, and
said determining comprises determining whether the top four steps of Monticello on the reverse are separated with a full step line.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later having an image of Monticello, and
said determining comprises determining whether 80% of the five steps of Monticello on the reverse are visible.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a U.S. Mercury dime 1916 to 1945, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Mercury dime 1916 to 1945 having an image of a torch, and
said determining comprises determining whether the torch on the reverse exhibits three full bands at the top and two full bands in the middle and bottom of the torch where the three sets of bands are well defined and separated in the center by a line that is at least 90% complete.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a Roosevelt dime 1946 or later, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the Roosevelt dime 1946 or later having an image of a torch, and
said determining comprises determining whether the torch exhibits full separate bands toward the top or the torch and substantially separate bands at the bottom of the torch such that a line extends at least 90% across, with weakness at the ends of the bottom bands only.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a U.S. Standing Liberty quarter 1916 to 1930,
said inspecting comprises inspecting the obverse of the U.S. Standing Liberty quarter 1916 to 1930 having an image of Lady Liberty with a head, a cheekbone, and hair bangs and braids, and
said determining comprises determining whether a line is visible between the forehead and the hair bangs of Lady Liberty, weakness is exhibited between the hair braids and the right cheekbone, and at least 90% of the hair braids are well defined.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the mint state coin is a U.S. Washington quarter 1932 to 1998,
said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Washington quarter 1932 to 1998 having an image of an eagle with a beak, and
said determining comprises determining whether the eagle's beak has the top and bottom beak separated and defined at least 50% along the length of the beak.
said inspecting comprises inspecting the obverse of the U.S. Walking Liberty half dollar 1916 to 1947 having an image of Lady Liberty with her left hand holding wreath stems, and
said determining comprises determining whether the thumb on Lady Liberty's left hand is separated from the hand with the hand extending around the steams of a wreath.
the mint state coin is a U.S. Franklin half dollar 1948 to 1963,
said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Franklin half dollar 1948 to 1963 having an image of the Liberty Bell, and
said determining comprises determining whether the bottom of the Liberty bell includes two sets of three bell lines, where the upper bell lines are complete except for the interruption of the Liberty bell crack, and the bottom three bell lines have at least 90% separation.
the mint state coin is a U.S. Kennedy half dollar 1964 or later,
said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Kennedy half dollar 1964 or later having an image of an eagle with a snake in its beak, and
said determining comprises determining whether the bottom and top of the eagle's beak has full separation and definition with the separation being between the top to bottom of the beak and running from left to right until the separation ends at the snake in the eagle's beak and continuing on the right side of the snake to the end of the beak.
said inspecting comprises inspecting the obverse and reverse of the U.S. Morgan dollar 1878 to 1921 grade MS64 or better, the obverse having an image of the head of Lady Liberty with an ear and hair, and the reverse having an image of a spread-wing eagle,
said determining comprises determining whether detail of Lady Liberty's ear is visible with hair curls over and around the ear having depth, and whether the eagle has visible individual breast feathers.
the mint state coin is U.S. Peace dollar 1921 to 1935 grade MS64 or better,
said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse the obverse and reverse of the U.S. Peace dollar 1921 to 1935 grade MS64 or better, the obverse having an image of the head of Lady Liberty with a crown, face, hair and neck, and the obverse having an eagle with folded wings and a tail,
said determining comprises determining whether the obverse provides details of Lady Liberty's hair from the crown, along her face and past the nape of her neck, and the reverse provides three distinct layers of wing feathers and a tail layer, and said three distinct layers of wing feathers and said tail layer each have distinct feathers shown.
inspecting the proof coin to either provide a Sheldon grade, to confirm a previously granted Sheldon grade, or to confirm that a Sheldon grade certification exists for the proof-like coin; inspecting both the obverse and the reverse of the proof-like coin; determining whether the proof-like coin is a first strike coin; and affixing a sticker on a slab containing the proof-like coin and indicating a grade enhancement for the proof-like coin only if the proof-like coin is a first strike coin.
said determining comprises determining whether all devices, lettering, fascia and raised areas on the obverse and reverse of the coin exhibit full frosted white cameo with the full frosted white cameo reflecting against a mirror surface contrast to provide an ultra heavy cameo contrast.
said determining comprises determining whether all devices, lettering, fascia and raised areas on the obverse and reverse of the coin exhibit frosted white cameo.
inspecting the coin to either provide a Sheldon grade of at least 60, to confirm a previously granted Sheldon grade of at least 60, or to confirm that a Sheldon grade certification of at least 60 exists for the mint state or proof-like coin; inspecting at least one of the obverse and the reverse of the coin to determine whether or not a physical attribute present in at most 10% of like coins is present in the inspected coin; and affixing a sticker on a slab containing the coin and indicating a grade enhancement for the coin if the physical attribute is present.
the coin is a proof-like coin, and
said inspecting comprises inspecting both the obverse and reverse of the proof-like coin.
I need my attorney presents
no attorney necessary.
the text is coin friendly. in fact, I posted it because it is worth a read top to bottom.
what does the sticker mean? read all about it.
I seriously doubt it would stand up...
A lot of the claims relate to FT FBL FS and there is prior art for those.
There is clear prior art for stickers (e.g. CAC)
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Interesting read..... Thank you... and certainly more acceptable standards than the dates on shipping boxes.....Standards CAN be developed for coins... and should be developed, documented and published. Then strictly applied. Oh yeah.. revolution...Cheers, RickO
I am trying very hard to find anything new and novel that is worth patenting.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
This patent number was granted to Charles Alan Hager in 2016. Assignee: M.A.C.GE, LLC. From reading the full application and supporting materials it does not appear to be enforceable. It relies on undefined terms and various assumptions. It's not obvious why this was granted.
He also has this application pending which appears to suffer from the same defects:
Methods for Enhanced Grading of Mint Quality Coins
Publication number: 20160187261
Abstract: Grade enhancement of mint grade and proof-like coins is disclosed based on a determination of an indication that the coin was a “first strike” coin. First strike is defined by the first 10% or less of coins struck by the same die and may be determined by the location of a physical attribute of the coin present in at most 10% of similar coins struck by the same die. First strike in proof-like coins may be determined by frosted white cameo.
Type: Application
Filed: December 26, 2014
Publication date: June 30, 2016
Applicant: M.A.C.GE, LLC
Inventor: Charles Alan Hager
It was granted because the examiner didn't know any better. They are not experts in every possible field, but rather generalists. There is a process for external people to intervene after a patent is issued, called IPR.
https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/appealing-patent-decisions/trials/inter-partes-review
the mint state coin is a U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later having an image of Monticello, and
said determining comprises determining whether the top four steps of Monticello on the reverse are separated with a full step line.
the mint state coin is U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later, said inspecting comprises inspecting the reverse of the U.S. Jefferson nickel 1938 or later having an image of Monticello, and
said determining comprises determining whether 80% of the five steps of Monticello on the reverse are visible.
Four is pretty easy to blow up, just post PCGS' or NGS' definition of Full Steps and that it predates the patent.
Five is harder, primarily because nobody has cared about 80% FS. But to @RogerB 's comment, what does 80% mean? 4 full steps and a blob would seem to be 80% of 5 steps...
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
RE: "It was granted because the examiner didn't know any better. They are not experts in every possible field, but rather generalists. There is a process for external people to intervene after a patent is issued, called IPR."
Thanks! I was not aware of the IPR option. I thought an examiner was supposed to consult subject matter experts?
Now on Older Jefferson nickels -- if there is someone sitting on those steps does that make it "80%?" what about a squirrel, or an elephant, or some of Jefferson's silk worms?
FH, FS are only 1 side of a coin
I have some FB coins with heavy die polish
How about FE - Full Edge - coins?
(I still think the patent is about silk worms on the steps....)