What does PCGS do with chopmarks and counterstamps on half dollars?
Barberian
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I assumed that they would indicate "Chopmark" or "Counterstamp" on the holder, not just label the coin as "Damaged." I submitted a chopmarked coin and a counterstamped coin and both came back labeled "Genuine: Damaged."
For Trade dollars, PCGS indicates "chopmark" and even gives a Sheldon grade. Why not do the same for chopmarked or counterstamped halves? I thought they did that for chopmarked halves.
3 rim nicks away from Good
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Generally, they will label chop mark on trade dollars and world coins but other US coins will usually only say damaged. It's been a point of contention with chopmark collectors for some time... Even if you notate specifically to ask them to label chopmark they very rarely will.
Edit: world coins will still not get a numeric grade. The only chop mark coins eligible for a numeric grade are trade dollars.
Thanks. All I wanted was "Chopmark" or "Counterstamp" to be listed in the holder. I also wrote those labels on the form and the flip.
I'd like something like this.
Sheldon grade would be nice as well.
"Damage" could mean someone took an axe to the coin.
I’ve wondered. Is there a cutoff on the number of chops on Trade Dollars before they won’t give it a numerical grade? I’ve seen some that are pretty much obliterated by chops.
I'm sure there is a limit but it's pretty far out there
AU50
That coin is labeled "chop marked" and is Sheldon graded while the coin below is labeled simply "damaged, VF-details"
Yet others get the "Chop Mark" designation and I'm not sure this is a chop mark.
They simply don't have a policy for any chopmarked coins other than trade dollars. TDN explained how a conversation between him and David Hall led to T$s having a Sheldon number.
That conversation clearly didn't happen for anything more esoteric and American. PCGS is inconsistent with the labeling for those esoteric coins. Clearly it doesn't have to be that way because world coins , while not getting a number grade , do get the chop mark designation nearly every time. It's extremely frustrating but I wouldn't expect anything to change.
All I can say is Thank goodness people have eyeballs or they'll think "damaged" means a long journey through a kitchen blender.
This is one of the nicest circulated Barber halves I've seen. It stopped me in my tracks when I walked past Revick's table three years ago. Beautiful color and virtually mark-free except for the "R."
But the "R" is damage.
I think the issue is that damage is an overly broad term. It certainly won't hurt PCGS to put counter mark or chop mark on a label if that's the kind of damage it is. It's different than if it just got run over by a tractor or something.
But it becomes complicated. What about graffiti? Love tokens? What if I stamp my initials on a coin, is that suddenly not damage and just a counter stamp?
Should we ignore test cuts on coins?
Damage may be broad but it is accurate and simple.
I get it. But it certainly can't be more complicated than all of the VAMs. And when there are multiple details issues PCGS just lists the most prevalent on the label. So they already have to make a decision sometimes... And for the money charged for the grading a quick look at what the most prevalent issue is and a button to press on the label maker doesn't seem like too much to ask.
But not all punches serve a purpose. That's my point. If it's not in Brunk or a reference, it is just damage.
... > @jmlanzaf said:
Yes. Yes. No, it's damage, counterstamp damage. I'm not saying it isn't damage, but it's damage of a certain kind for purposes of conducting commerce, or cheap advertising. Label it "F-details, Counterstamp" ####.98
Test cuts, no. Label them "test cut," but their definitely damaged.
"Damage" is way too broad a term, and labels should be informative. Probably a carryover from work.
Fine. Label them as such. "F-details, Unk. Counterstamp. 98"
It's probably too much for grading staff and perhaps attribution staff to research it. Maybe I just have to suck it up and accept it's been brutally, yet "tastefully" damaged by some moron with an R-punch in his garage.
I cannot locate the book I would need, but there is book I read that discusses stamps in detail.
That book claimed that during the 60's and 70's there was a trend to "add" stamps to coins in order to make them "look" like original stamped coins.
I wonder if the grading services have a set of stamps they consider "official". Perhaps if you can show your coin has a stamp used on other coins that have been recognized as original they will add that to the label.
I will let you know if I can remember the correct book. James
I've submitted probably 50-75 US coins with chopmarks, and hundreds of world coins with chopmarks. Here's what I've observed.
For World Coins, PCGS is pretty consistent. The label will say "Chop Mark" unless there's another problem on the coin like a hole. In that case, they'll put the other problem on the label.
For U.S. Coins, PCGS is very INCONSISTENT. Sometimes, the label will say "Chop Mark", and more often the label will say "Damage". This inconsistency is very frustrating, and as the OP implied when starting this thread we'd much prefer the label to say "Chop Mark" instead of "Damage".
If PCGS is listening here, please clean up this issue with chopmarked U.S. coins and put "Chop Mark" on the labels like you do a good job of for world coins. More and more chopped coins are being submitted, so it's worth your effort.
Half dollars with stamps and chops are a great thing..