Mint Proof Set grading expectations…

Higradeguy

I currently have a 2022 Gold American Eagle Proof set in for grading. Grades became available today. 3 of the 4 came back PR70DCAM but the 1/4 gold eagle came back a PR68DCAM. I am aware that proofs straight from the mint are not guaranteed to come back 70s but it did seem a bit odd that one would come back a 68. Does this reflect more on a quality control issue from the mint or the increased scrutiny that PCGS places on grading these days?

Batman23

You had 75% grade the elusive PR70DCAM so I would not say it is increased scrutiny of PCGS. Most likely there is a mark of some type that was larger than the normal PR69 mark.

FlyingAl

You probably had a hairline somewhere. One hairline on a modern proof coin should drop it to a 68, in theory.

lermish

I had a few bullion coins come back lower than expected and was not super excited, especially because it's very hard to tell a 68 or 69 from a 70 with the naked eye. Once the TV's posted the issues became very apparent.

bsshog40

Mint quality!

JBK

People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

jmlanzaf

@JBK said:
People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

I agree.

That said, I think there are more 68s lately because of more small fiber strike throughs. They really need to clean the presses.

alaura22

@jmlanzaf said:

@JBK said:
People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

I agree.

That said, I think there are more 68s lately because of more small fiber strike throughs. They really need to clean the presses.

Why? They just sell them and people buy them. They don't have to make sure every coin is perfect. They get there money and don't have to produce perfect coins, win win

jmlanzaf

@alaura22 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@JBK said:
People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

I agree.

That said, I think there are more 68s lately because of more small fiber strike throughs. They really need to clean the presses.

Why? They just sell them and people buy them. They don't have to make sure every coin is perfect. They get there money and don't have to produce perfect coins, win win

I don't expect them to produce perfect coins. But this is an easily solvable problem that is not good for the equipment itself. You don't want a lot of fibers around oiled machines.

Higradeguy

Thank you everyone for your responses so far. The knowledge shared is very enlightening and definitely helps to explain my questions.

alaura22

@jmlanzaf said:

@alaura22 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@JBK said:
People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

I agree.

That said, I think there are more 68s lately because of more small fiber strike throughs. They really need to clean the presses.

Why? They just sell them and people buy them. They don't have to make sure every coin is perfect. They get there money and don't have to produce perfect coins, win win

I don't expect them to produce perfect coins. But this is an easily solvable problem that is not good for the equipment itself. You don't want a lot of fibers around oiled machines.

I know the ramifications of fibers around machinery, I"m a retired machinist
That wasn't were I was going. My point was, Why should they!

Higradeguy

@alaura22 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@alaura22 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@JBK said:
People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

I agree.

That said, I think there are more 68s lately because of more small fiber strike throughs. They really need to clean the presses.

Why? They just sell them and people buy them. They don't have to make sure every coin is perfect. They get there money and don't have to produce perfect coins, win win

I don't expect them to produce perfect coins. But this is an easily solvable problem that is not good for the equipment itself. You don't want a lot of fibers around oiled machines.

I know the ramifications of fibers around machinery, I"m a retired machinist
That wasn't were I was going. My point was, Why should they!

For the $1000 premium they charge I think the customer can expect them to produce a high quality coin. If not then I could just as easily spend my money with the Perth, The Royal or The Royal Canadian mints.

jdimmick

One of my customers brought by some stuff today, mint fresh product for review. Two of his pieces would be lucky to get a 68 IMO. Found one potential 70 in the group

alaura22

@Higradeguy said:

@alaura22 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@alaura22 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@JBK said:
People tend to get spoiled but in my opinion a grade a point or two under 70 does not represent a quality control issue.

On modern proofs, 70 is great, 69 is more common, and 68 might be a little disappointing but probably within tolerances. The mint does not guarantee "perfect" PR70 coins.

As I usually say, if you want 70s, buy them already slabbed.

I agree.

That said, I think there are more 68s lately because of more small fiber strike throughs. They really need to clean the presses.

Why? They just sell them and people buy them. They don't have to make sure every coin is perfect. They get there money and don't have to produce perfect coins, win win

I don't expect them to produce perfect coins. But this is an easily solvable problem that is not good for the equipment itself. You don't want a lot of fibers around oiled machines.

I know the ramifications of fibers around machinery, I"m a retired machinist
That wasn't were I was going. My point was, Why should they!

For the $1000 premium they charge I think the customer can expect them to produce a high quality coin. If not then I could just as easily spend my money with the Perth, The Royal or The Royal Canadian mints.

I agree, but if they just continue to produce coins and not worry about a few getting through that are not of the highest quaitly they will still sell them.
That's why ( like someone said above) if I want MS or PR 70s I buy them already graded

ricko

The fact that you had four 70 DCAM's out of five coins, dispels both your comments on the Mint's quality and PCGS grading standards. Obviously, the fifth coin has an issue. Cheers, RickO