Embellishment? Opinions please!
saltlydog4
Posts: 180 ✭✭✭
"No question this coin is a SUPERB GEM AU. It has so much going for it. "
Beyond reading further, do you think this is possible? How many people think that "GEM" is a defined term in numismatics? I mean, I do like the coin, but that's not the point. I feel like reading through the descriptions on legends site, that it reads more like an embellished novel than it does coin descriptions.
Am I alone in thinking this way? Am I being too critical? Do you agree, or do I need an attitude adjustment?!
https://legendauctions.hibid.com/lot/43719103/h10c-1795-pcgs-au50-cac?q=2
1
Comments
Depends on how old you are. How do you think folks described coins BEFORE numbers?
Additionally, word usage can change. "Choice" was used for MS-65 coins at one time. Now it = MS-63.
I've never bought a coin from Legend, but here's the deal - everyone is entitled to an opinion, and in this auction there are already 3 opinions that have been rendered, two by professional grading operations and another by a seller that many people consider to be an expert. It may very well be an honest assessment of the coin.
I've never found the term "SUPER GEM" in any reference books, however.
I knew it would happen.
Such terms are obsolete in today's world of slabs and stickers.
In the "obsolete" Technical Grading System, once a coin was graded for its condition of preservation based ONLY on the way it left the dies, it was described. The word "Choice" referred to a virtually mark free surface. Look at the coin - nothing hits your eye = choice.
**The ANA screwed things up FOREVER when they combined the AMOUNT OF WEAR on a coin with the NUMBER OF
MARKS! ** A liner Uncirculated coin that most would swear had no wear on the high points (AU-59) was now considered an AU- typical = 50. A coin worn all the way down to an AU-50 -53 with no marks is considered a Choice AU-58.
Go figure. Lucky we all have our own personal grading standards. The trick is to keep your own standards while you understand TPGS grading.
I agree with what others have shared.
It used to be au or unc or bu.
Gem to me means 65.
Superb gem is 66.
But really with our current numbering system all the verbal terms are salesman fluff.
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Folks who write auction descriptions are certainly free to engage in a bit of verbal hyperbole. Ultimately, though, the coin has to speak for itself.
My 2 cents:
Why is a superb gem coin only in a 50 holder? There’s either a problem with the description or the picture, or PCGS was having a bad day.
IMHO auction descriptions, regardless of seller, are pretty much worthless. There’s a lot to be said about the GC business model.
I am sure @Insider2 remembers this:
It's a sales pitch, anything goes. Form your own opinion and decide whether or not you wish to do business with them. If you are uncomfortable with the description maybe look elsewhere.
Sorry for the rant - but I am old school and the use of Gem, and especially “Gemmy” today - make me want to run my finger down my throat so I can puke.
WS
Rub a dub dub.............A Superb Gem AU in the tub.
Go figure.
Pete
Descriptive terms for coins are, often, sales hype. Since so real standards exist, each coin must be evaluated by the buyer. How often do we see here, people disagreeing with the slabbed grade... every day. So descriptive terms, slabbed grades - they are all fluid. Caveat emptor. Cheers, RickO
I think if you look in a German coin book, it's an "Uber" Gem.
Auction descriptions, regardless of what company writes them, are optimistic sales materials that are often full of hyperbole.
While you may not like the hyperbole, the "just show the coin" blather is misplaced. A tremendous amount of information can often be gleaned around the adjectives which is why people keep important auction catalogs. That includes the 75 year olds catalogs with the crappy photos.
Wording will often draw attention to minor flaws as well, flaws that may not be obvious in the photos.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Does “gemmy” = “truthy”?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I have the ANACS grading guides and all manner of hob knob ery around here, but This Book is Pretty Good. Don't look read it's explanation for MS grades.
lol, I didn't notice that the coin being described was AU, and not BU. I'll have to admit that I've never heard of an AU coin being described in Gem or Gemmy terms. In the past, this would've been referred to as a "slider". But, what do I know?
I knew it would happen.
I cannot wait to buy and read this one. I really like the "FIRST TIME EVER..." part. Sort of like the gemmy AU in this thread, don't you think? LOL.
Hopefully, it will contain the lavishly detailed images that are promised on the cover!
"Miss Liberty and the details are well struck."
Ahh, no.
The strike in the area of Ms. Liberty's face is sub par.
This coin is an AU-58.
And this coin is an AU-50. In fairness this piece used to be in a PCGS green label holder, but I foolishly had it re-holdered because the holder was scratched.
Finding this type with a better strike on the obverse is not that hard.