NO IMAGE. Use your imagination. I want your opinion. THE TONING IS ORIGINAL!

Insider2

Colorful toning is fairly scarce and very popular at this time. Think of a colorful Roosevelt silver dime. Make its color breathtaking. Example: Mostly reddish gold and frosty silver straight on but hints of blue-green come out when tipped in the light. No marks visible to the naked eye yet at 7X there are many small contact marks on the head. The fields are pristine.
If the coin were not beautifully toned, it would probably reach the "gem" grade. The color hides the nicks to the eye and you cannot stop "playing" the coin in the light. What do you grade it?

blitzdude

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

AT, perhaps from taco bell but it will straight grade 65. send it off for the ole cac sticker, maybe you will get a gold bean. lol

jmlanzaf

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

I would grade it a 65 - I hope. The market would grade it 66 or 67.

But, that's just me. I still think VF Buffs should have a full horn!

Smudge

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

@jmlanzaf said:
I would grade it a 65 - I hope. The market would grade it 66 or 67.

But, that's just me. I still think VF Buffs should have a full horn!

+1

ms70

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

Any coin should be graded on it's merits WITHOUT the color considered.

cameonut2011

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

If it is a technical 65, I might bump it up to a 65+ but no higher. Color bumps, whether 1, 2, or even 3 points (and 3 point swings are more common than you might think) are problematic because at that point you are grading the color. No component of grading, not even one as important as eye appeal, should be weighed so heavily as to completely render the others nugatory or trivial.

Bigbuck1975

(66) Amazing color is enough for a one point jump.

Color bumps a point for sure these days IMO right or wrong.

OldIndianNutKase

(68) The amazing color bumps it up three grades as the marks don't show to the eye.

No marks visible without 7x magnification would make the coin at least a 67 on technical merit. Add great color, and not splotchy toning, and the coin is good for a 68. Of course that would take approval of the Board of Directors of PCGS........

OINK

mannie gray

(66) Amazing color is enough for a one point jump.

I would 6 or 6+ it.

ricko

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

65....However, in real life, I would likely grade it lower, since I do not like tarnish on coins. I am totally against grade increases due to tarnish...It is a form of environmental damage and, although many people like colors, it is, in reality, surface degradation. Cheers, RickO

Unknown

This content has been removed.

U1chicago

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

A plus or a star (if NGC) on top of the technical grade should suffice. The market will price it above a generic example in the same grade. Color bumps are leading to multiple premiums and have gotten out of hand lately (and I like toned coins, but still believe they should be graded like all other coins as long as there is no official and published guide that clearly states that the TPGs have a new standard).

Insider2

@jmlanzaf said: "I would grade it a 65 - I hope. The market would grade it 66 or 67." Right or wrong, that is EXACTLY what is going on. Since color affects eye appeal, it very often bumps the normal grade UP.

As for this "I still think VF Buffs should have a full horn!" You and @Smudge know that some fully original high grade nickels never had a horn! It is best not to get hung up on the horn, letters in Liberty, etc.

@ms70 said: "Any coin should be graded on it's merits WITHOUT the color considered."

That was how it was done in the old Technical System. That system had nothing to do with a coin's value - only its condition of preservation. Obviously, in modern times (after the dinosaurs) color adds LOTS of value!

@OldIndianNutKase said: "No marks visible without 7x magnification would make the coin at least a 67 on technical merit. Add great color, and not splotchy toning, and the coin is good for a 68. Of course that would take approval of the Board of Directors of PCGS........

&X was on my desk. 4X to 5X would probably show them also.

THANKS EVERYONE for taking the poll. I'm going to bet that the "imaginary" coin goes out as a 66 or 67.

jmlanzaf

(65) The coin has too many marks to be higher. You cannot turn a 65 into those higher grades w/color.

@Insider2 said:
@jmlanzaf said: "I would grade it a 65 - I hope. The market would grade it 66 or 67." Right or wrong, that is EXACTLY what is going on. Since color affects eye appeal, it very often bumps the normal grade UP.

As for this "I still think VF Buffs should have a full horn!" You and @Smudge know that some fully original high grade nickels never had a horn! It is best not to get hung up on the horn, letters in Liberty, etc.

Weak strike is one thing. But a worn horn iis another matter

Insider2

Take a flat struck branch mint nickel with full mint luster and add a very slight amount of wear and the coin will look VG/F and be priced VG/F by many dealers because that's what they are worth I guess. Check it out at the next coin show.