The Line Between Market Acceptable and Not

lilolme

I have some raw bust halves that I purchased years (and years) ago. I submitted two small groups in 2019 but then I slowed due to the circumstances. Recently submitted another small group and got them back, Getting to the thread title, when I submit a small group I try to find that line where it goes from market acceptable to not (details grade). With many older series and circulated there are those coins that have anywhere from looks basically original too harshly cleaned or damage or similar. There will be a 'line' and sometimes a wide one, where the detail in question, let's go with cleaned, goes from market acceptable to details grade. This will be true if being very strict or very loose, it just moves the acceptable line.

So when I submit a small group like this I try to find a couple that I think are just below the acceptable line or on it. I call them, probably not but worth a shot and maybe - maybe not. This time I did fairly well with this. Of the probably not but worth a shot, one went details and the other straight graded. However, another I thought was a probably good went details. These are the ones to look at again as sometimes you see it and other times you resubmit it (yes that works sometimes). I did get one surprise on the very good side also.

The reason I do this is because as noted above sometimes something you might think won't straight grade does. Also if they all straight grade, it leave me wondering if I should have submitted a couple others not as high on the list and if they would have straight graded. At the same time don't want to send in a bunch of details grade (could this hurt the acceptable ones in the group).

So if and when you submit a small group of coins that could be in this situation, what do you do if anything to screen them? Or just send them all in?

PS - not asking about or for any upgrade secrets, techniques or similar.

Cougar1978

I send all in. If some come come back not straight graded I just blow out those to a problem coin specialist dealer friend.

Or might just start on the bay at 9.95 let her rip.

MS66

It's too bad that ANACS no longer issues actual grades along with Details designations, or that no one else does. Seems like a useful way to split the difference, as opposed essentially to capital punishment for coins that just miss the straight grade.

lilolme

@Cougar1978 said:
I send all in. If some come come back not straight graded I just blow out those to a problem coin specialist dealer friend.

Or might just start on the bay at 9.95 let her rip.

Thanks. I had not thought about that, since I am just collecting and not selling.

ricko

Sometimes, it may be worth a second try... either raw or reconsideration (get advice prior to choice). Cheers, RickO

lilolme

@ricko said:
Sometimes, it may be worth a second try... either raw or reconsideration (get advice prior to choice). Cheers, RickO

Second try sometimes - absolutely. This last submission one straight graded that was details previous. I did not even include it on my probably not but worth a shot because I still thought it was a probably good. I am doing this mostly for collecting fun and not a seller.

logger7

The two top grading services tend to be exacting on Bust coins. If they are AU but don't have original surfaces they will often give them a details grade. Sometimes Anacs or Icg will give the coin the benefit of the doubt and give the coin a numerical grade if it merits that in their opinion, ie old cleaning, retoned, aesthetic appeal, etc.. It can be very subjective as the grading service ultimately must stand behind their judgment.

WCC

@logger7 said:
The two top grading services tend to be exacting on Bust coins. If they are AU but don't have original surfaces they will often give them a details grade.

I think this is reasonable on Bust halves. The supply is high enough where, since US collectors are the primary buyers, it should be strict.

logger7

@WCC said:

@logger7 said:
The two top grading services tend to be exacting on Bust coins. If they are AU but don't have original surfaces they will often give them a details grade.

I think this is reasonable on Bust halves. The supply is high enough where, since US collectors are the primary buyers, it should be strict.

If a Bust or other early coin has AU surfaces but little if any luster they will often call it cleaned, same thing with XF coins, they should have some luster.

lermish

I have an interesting case. Fantastic surfaces, luster, color, nice strike. I don't see a lot of marks, looks closer to a 63+. I really like this coin BUT, look at 12-1 on the reverse. Arguably it shouldn't have straight graded.

Market acceptable AU58.

lermish

@lermish said:
I have an interesting case. Fantastic surfaces, luster, color, nice strike. I don't see a lot of marks, looks closer to a 63+. I really like this coin BUT, look at 12-1 on the reverse. Arguably it shouldn't have straight graded.

Market acceptable AU58.

To clarify, CAC would never sticker this in MS because of the light rub. But I've seen plenty of worse coins in 62 and up but not with the rim gouge on the reverse.

MICHAELDIXON

I do not feel this should have straight graded, as it is bright and clearly cleaned. There are larger pictures on the NGC Verification site. To me, it is not market acceptable. And...I do own the coin.

lilolme

@lermish said:
I have an interesting case. Fantastic surfaces, luster, color, nice strike. I don't see a lot of marks, looks closer to a 63+. I really like this coin BUT, look at 12-1 on the reverse. Arguably it shouldn't have straight graded.

Market acceptable AU58.

That is one I would have probably put in my probably not but worth a shot. And in this case the shot would have worked.

@MICHAELDIXON said:

I do not feel this should have straight graded, as it is bright and clearly cleaned. There are larger pictures on the NGC Verification site. To me, it is not market acceptable. And...I do own the coin.

I get it on the 'white' color but there are a lot of these circulated 'white' straight grades. So if no other cleaning evidence (lines, shiny surface...) then it kind of goes with the probably okay. But sometimes get surprised.

logger7

On lower grade coins, problems are more acceptable as I have heard top experts opine.

Treashunt

Easy to define:

If it is mine and I am selling, it is not acceptable.

If it is yours, fully acceptable. And for sale at a premium