Coin grading: what happens when the two sides are dramatically different?

Davidcoins

I tried googling this but couldn’t find an answer —

What happens in the grading process with one side of the coin is much nicer than the other?

Does the coin automatically get the grade of the worse side?

For example, I have a coin that might be a 98 on one side and a 63 or 64 on the other —

Does the coin automatically get the lower grade, or are the two scores averaged? 🤔

Thanks for your input!

MFeld

With respect to grading, the obverse of a coin tends to be weighted far more heavily than the reverse. I think it’s very rare for a reverse to help the grade of a coin, though on some occasions, it can hurt it.

As one general example, if the obverse grades 63 and the reverse grades 65, the coin is likely to grade 63. As another, if the obverse grades 65 and the reverse grades 63, the coin will probably grade 64, at a minimum.

Barberian

If you have significant 98 (damage) on one side the coin should be graded as a 98, IMO, particularly if it's on the primary side used for grading. For example, the obverse is the primary side for determining grade for seated Liberty halves. If it's relatively minor damage, then the coin may be net graded.

PerryHall

@MFeld said:
With respect to grading, the obverse of a coin tends to be weighted far more heavily than the reverse. I think it’s very rare for a reverse to help the grade of a coin, though on some occasions, it can hurt it.

As just one general example, if the obverse grades 63 and the reverse grades 65, the coin is likely to grade 63.

What grade does it get if the obverse is 65 and the reverse is 63?

FlyingAl

I agree with Mark.

The rule is that generally (there are exceptions) the reverse can only really lower a coin's grade.

In cases such as Deep Cameo contrast on the obverse of a proof with no contrast or weak contrast on the reverse, NGC will usually assign a star when grading. I don't believe this can happen where it is the reverse that is frosted.

MFeld

Regarding the example you gave, where the coin grades 63 or 64 on one side, but is code 98 (“damage or tooling”) on the other, the coin should receive a details grade, not a straight grade. However, if the problem isn’t too severe, it’s possible that the coin will receive a straight grade, which takes the issue into account. Like so many other aspects of grading, the result/answer comes down to a matter of degree.

PerryHall

In the past, I've read that the obverse contributes 60% of the grade and the reverse contributes 40% of the grade. Sounds about right to me.

MFeld

@PerryHall said:

@MFeld said:
With respect to grading, the obverse of a coin tends to be weighted far more heavily than the reverse. I think it’s very rare for a reverse to help the grade of a coin, though on some occasions, it can hurt it.

As just one general example, if the obverse grades 63 and the reverse grades 65, the coin is likely to grade 63.

What grade does it get if the obverse is 65 and the reverse is 63?

Coincidentally, without having seen your above question, I edited my first post, as follows, to include that scenario:
“… if the obverse grades 65 and the reverse grades 63, the coin will probably grade 64, at a minimum.

BStrauss3

In the days of technical grading, it would have been a 63... the reverse can only hurt said above.

Today...

Davidcoins

Thank you for your responses! This is the coin im thinking about sending to PCGS, the ob is pretty scratched up on her face, but the Rev looks pretty nice. Sounds like the grade is mostly going to be influenced by the Ob, thank you very much

MFeld

That coin looks MS62, at best.

Davidcoins

@MFeld said:
That coin looks MS62, at best.

Yes that’s the neighborhood I was thinking as well

Rampage

Very nice Redfield coin. Leave the coin in that holder. It is worth more that way...unless you are planning to have PCGS/NGC/Whoever grade the coin within the holder.

ricko

I like coins that are close in quality, obverse to reverse. If one side is distinctively different, I usually pass. Unless there is something special about the coin. Cheers, RickO

291fifth

Grade like a dealer would grade if he were buying. The side with the lowest grade is the grade. Never pay a premium over that amount for a coin with mixed grade obverse/reverse.

1madman

NGC grades the Redfield coins in that original holder. I would strongly suggest you send to them for grading.

MFeld

@1madman said:
NGC grades the Redfield coins in that original holder. I would strongly suggest you send to them for grading.

When the coins are low grade like the one in this thread, and already sell for nice premiums anyway, I don’t think grading pays for itself.

jesbroken

When the coins are low grade like the one in this thread, and already sell for nice premiums anyway, I don’t think grading pays for itself.

Unless there is a counterfeit worry. Today, I think most any valuable coin will be counterfeited and while some are obvious, many are not. They have becoome very accomplished at what they do.
Jim

hbarbee

There is another recent post about a guy between the legs of the eagle on a quarter so I looked at the best pic of that year on PCGS and it is a good example of your question. It is graded MS68 and the obverse warrants that. But the reverse has way too many hits in the focal areas to be near a 68.

Davidcoins

👆that’s a beautiful obverse

MFeld

@jesbroken said:

When the coins are low grade like the one in this thread, and already sell for nice premiums anyway, I don’t think grading pays for itself.

Unless there is a counterfeit worry. Today, I think most any valuable coin will be counterfeited and while some are obvious, many are not. They have becoome very accomplished at what they do.
Jim

I haven’t seen a counterfeit dollar in a counterfeit Redfield holder and the posted coin is obviously genuine. I see no reasonable “counterfeit worry” in this instance.

CaptHenway

@MFeld said:
With respect to grading, the obverse of a coin tends to be weighted far more heavily than the reverse. I think it’s very rare for a reverse to help the grade of a coin, though on some occasions, it can hurt it.

As one general example, if the obverse grades 63 and the reverse grades 65, the coin is likely to grade 63. As another, if the obverse grades 65 and the reverse grades 63, the coin will probably grade 64, at a minimum.

Mark is, as always, correct.

One noticeable exception to this general rule is in the cents of 1922, which I am writing a book about. For a number of very good reasons the Denver Mint was forced to use dies that were horribly worn, sometimes paired with an opposing die that was almost normal. Thus you can have a coin that is EF by wear on one side and only VG by detail on the other side. In this case you grade the coin by the wear on the stronger side.

TD

MFeld

@CaptHenway said:

@MFeld said:
With respect to grading, the obverse of a coin tends to be weighted far more heavily than the reverse. I think it’s very rare for a reverse to help the grade of a coin, though on some occasions, it can hurt it.

As one general example, if the obverse grades 63 and the reverse grades 65, the coin is likely to grade 63. As another, if the obverse grades 65 and the reverse grades 63, the coin will probably grade 64, at a minimum.

Mark is, as always, correct.

One noticeable exception to this general rule is in the cents of 1922, which I am writing a book about. For a number of very good reasons the Denver Mint was forced to use dies that were horribly worn, sometimes paired with an opposing die that was almost normal. Thus you can have a coin that is EF by wear on one side and only VG by detail on the other side. In this case you grade the coin by the wear on the stronger side.

TD

Tom, that was an excellent exception to point out! Thanks.