@logger7 said:
Accurately graded; and considering the large spread between MS64 and MS65 on this coin, it is unfair to render any judgment out of hand. It used to be a $400 coin and has been dropping for many years now into the $200s. I once sent one of these PCGS certified 44-s Walkers to a major Coin World buyer and though it was certified properly as MS65, he said he would only pay 64 money! That's the game; question accurate grading and then try to strongarm the owner into parting with their collectibles.
What does the large spread between MS64 and MS65 or price history have to do with opinions regarding the accuracy of the grade?
As one of the sharpest graders in the hobby, with a lot of legal experience as well, Mr. Feld, far be it for me, more a hobbyist than a numismatist, to question your excellent judgment. 20 some odd years ago I read Scott Travers book "How to Make Money in Coins Right Now", and one of his recommendations was the 1944-s 50c Walker, trying for an upgrade from MS64 to MS65. A big jump in price to be sure. So the point I was making would reference the upgrade experts. At this point Greysheet (old issue) has the 44-s at $75 to $195 in MS65. The MS65 before was around twice that. I have no doubt that PCGS follows the ANA grading standards properly. NGC, Anacs and ICG also try to follow the grading standards. https://www.pcgs.com/grades#grade65
You and anyone else are obviously free to question my judgment and/or disagree with any of my opinions.
I don’t happen to think that’s a particularly large value spread or one that would preclude a grading company from being strict or liberal in assigning a grade. There are a great many coins with huge value spreads, that have received the higher of two grades which most experts would consider to be the two most likely “correct”/accurate ones which could be assigned.
I’m not under the impression that PCGS or NGC attempt to follow the ANA grading standards. But even if they do, there are an infinite number of flaws of different types and sizes in different locations, as well as degrees of luster, differences in strike, patina and eye-appeal on different coins. And written standards can’t take all of those possibilities and differences into account and consistently categorize each coin to one, precise numerical grade.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Thanks for your reasoning. Nitpickers especially on Walkers can say that a gem is not "fully" struck. Are there even real criteria on that? Market acceptable, cac acceptable, technical grading that is willing to give the number to a coin though it may not have all the merits of the grade; you wonder what the final reasoning is on a given grade.
Comments
You and anyone else are obviously free to question my judgment and/or disagree with any of my opinions.
I don’t happen to think that’s a particularly large value spread or one that would preclude a grading company from being strict or liberal in assigning a grade. There are a great many coins with huge value spreads, that have received the higher of two grades which most experts would consider to be the two most likely “correct”/accurate ones which could be assigned.
I’m not under the impression that PCGS or NGC attempt to follow the ANA grading standards. But even if they do, there are an infinite number of flaws of different types and sizes in different locations, as well as degrees of luster, differences in strike, patina and eye-appeal on different coins. And written standards can’t take all of those possibilities and differences into account and consistently categorize each coin to one, precise numerical grade.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Thanks for your reasoning. Nitpickers especially on Walkers can say that a gem is not "fully" struck. Are there even real criteria on that? Market acceptable, cac acceptable, technical grading that is willing to give the number to a coin though it may not have all the merits of the grade; you wonder what the final reasoning is on a given grade.