Grading ?

OLC

Lets say the obverse of a coin would grade MS68 and the reverse MS66. What will the coin grade? The average or the lower of the two sides? Thanks

BillJones

Probably MS-66 because the grading service does want to stick its neck out for a marginal super gem. The obverse often rules, but for high grade examples like this EVERYTHING has to be near perfect.

Smudge

Just because obverse rules does not mean reverse can’t hold a coin back.

MFeld

It’s difficult to generalize. However, because the obverse is typically weighted so much more heavily than the reverse, I’d expect the coin to grade at least 67. And 67+ wouldn’t surprise me.

Edited to add: I also disagree that “ EVERYTHING has to be near perfect” for “high grade examples like this”. While I have disagreed with the grades, I’ve seen numerous 67, 67+ and 68 coins with multiple flaws.