Do die cracks effect the grade?
oldrattler
Posts: 34 ✭✭
Do die cracks limit the grade assigned to old gold or any coin for that matter?
I have a St. Gaudens double eagle with multiple die cracks on the front & reverse of the coin that I thought should have received a ms64 grade but came back as ms63.
Just wondering if they could have held back the grade.
TIA
0
Answers
Welcome to the forum! Good question!
Typically, no. Die cracks are imparted to the coin at the time it was struck. Many varieties are attributable by the "signature" of these die cracks or cuds. Notable examples exist in Large Cents (Randall Hoard) and Capped Bust Halves. .. and many others.
There are people on this forum that have served as graders for "the big three" and can weigh in... but in my experience with submitting coins, they have not been limited, grade-wise, by die cracks. In fact, in many cases they aid in attribution.
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A die crack is indicative of the condition of the die that struck the coin, not the coin itself.
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Not sure on your answer for grading but I believe it’s a natural part of the die aging process and should not affect the grade. I would think if the coin is sent in as a error for grading then it would not affect the grade.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
While it may not affect the grade it can effect the marketability of the coin. Some collectors think die cracks are "neat" while others dislike them. They have to be marketed to the type of collector that thinks they are "neat".
While technically it does not affect the grade... I do wonder if in practice it unintentionally does sometimes influence a final grade.
Welcome @oldrattler to the forum!
Can you please post a pic? I would like to see what you are describing.
It can if you are looking for a very high grade. Sometimes die breaks effect the sharpness of the design. Pieces that are missing design details seldom make it to grades like MS-67.
@oldrattler.... Welcome aboard... Die cracks do add character, though little value... and should not affect the grade. If you have a specific example, a picture would help... Cheers, RickO
You can also have an extremely high grade coin with a die crack. It's not usual, but does happen.
Later, Paul.
For most grades, die cracks will not (or at least should not) affect the grade of the coin. But at the very top of the grade scale especially, like MS65 and above, die cracks probably do affect the grade at least somewhat.
Remember that grading is very subjective and overall eye appeal does matter to most grades, particularly at the very top of the scale.
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