Should this coin receive a straight grade?

BigAl

I’m betting that if this coin’s reverse had a stem, it would not straight grade VG8. Even if there’s discretion in whatever grading standard applies to scratches (if one exists), I don’t believe this could be interpreted as borderline.

I doubt that a details grade vs. a straight grade will impact the ultimate sales price of this coin; that said, why not just grade it what it is, a scratched coin?

alaura22

Are you saying that the coin is straight graded?
Here we go again, no way that this coin should be straight graded, period!

DennisH

@alaura22 said:
no way that this coin should be straight graded, period!

+1

Crypto

Grades for extreme rarities are really just rankings, that die pair is old school famous and they are all basically just graded on their place in the census. Don’t lose sleep over it, anybody who can afford that coin knows exactly what it is and what the opportunity should cost to them.

noenhancedproof

I don’t like when the TPGs straight grade rarities that would get details if they were more common. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth that they favor certain coins when the same standards should exist, in theory, to all coins.

MarkKelley

I would not straight grade it.

Typekat

I’ve seen coins with that amount of obverse detail straight graded as fine, so it’s possibly net-graded VG8.
A picture of the reverse would be helpful.

Crypto

@Typekat said:
I’ve seen coins with that amount of obverse detail straight graded as fine, so it’s possibly net-graded VG8.
A picture of the reverse would be helpful.

Good point

coastaljerseyguy

I don't like problem coin net grading. Not a bad coin and at the right price could be in an album. Doesn't matter the scratch is old, it is a VG Details coin.

jesbroken

Shouldn't have net grading unless the tpg says net graded, thus details grade. Why cover up the damage just because its a more rare coin, it's still a coin and either grade all coins equally or don't bother. It's disheartening for a newcomer to send in a hopefully high grade coin to only have returned details grade and then see another coin that is worse than theirs to have a straight grade(even if 1 to 1 1/2 points lower) as if the details issue didn't matter. See no point in it at all. Again, just another opinion.
Jim

Smudge

No.

golden

No.

johnny9434

@DennisH said:

@alaura22 said:
no way that this coin should be straight graded, period!

+1

+2, no

gumby1234

I've never understood how obvious details coins end up being straight graded. The only theory I can come up with is that the TPG's make more money by straight grading them.

alaura22

@gumby1234 said:
I've never understood how obvious details coins end up being straight graded. The only theory I can come up with is that the TPG's make more money by straight grading them.

Only if they owned the coin which I don't believe that PCGS owns any coins.................right?

coinkat

We spend too much time looking through a 21st century lens and judge what should be and what really was in connection with early US coinage. And in this instance, it seems clear what is reasonable and what really fails to pass the straight face test. A straight grade fails to pass the straight face test.

I believe in giving a coin the benefit of the doubt when in fact there is a reasonable doubt. In this instance, there is no reasonable doubt. This is not a great day for TPG if this coin received a straight grade.

logger7

It's a high resolution image, so everything stands out. I have no problem with a straight grade on that, probably less of a "problem" coin in hand.

coinbuf

Don't you just love market grading.

coinkat

Market grading has a place and so do obvious scratches in terms of grading. As do the surfaces that have yet to become part of the grading discussion. And a grading opinion should reflect and capture the totality of the state of preservation of the coin. Opinions should matter even if it is memorialized at a moment in time.

Cougar1978

No - would not give it a straight grade nor be an investor in it.

gumby1234

@alaura22 don't they charge higher fees for the higher value coins?

alaura22

@gumby1234 said:
@alaura22 don't they charge higher fees for the higher value coins?

I'm not sure, good question
Anybody?

alaura22

@logger7 said:
It's a high resolution image, so everything stands out. I have no problem with a straight grade on that, probably less of a "problem" coin in hand.

WOW, Really?
Coin in hand with the lights off..............

asheland

I don’t mind letting minor scratches go with regards to a straight grade, but that is way way way past the point of a straight grade! That’s details 100% in my opinion.

logger7

Years ago I sold an 1874 $20 Lib. with a sizeable scratch "x" to "Lance" at a show, next time I saw him months later it was in a 60 or 61 NGC holder and bought it back. Overall it had some merits explaining the straight grade.

alaura22

Glutton for punishment comes to mind

leothelyon

Here's a 1942-D/Horizonta; D Jefferson nickel that PCGS straight-graded AU58, I can't tell you how unhappy I was getting stuck with having to shell out $22.10 to return it to the eBay seller. I could write a page and a 1/2 of dissatisfaction about this coin, the transaction, the seller, eBay and PCGS!
There's no excuse as to why this coin was straight-graded! PCGS owes me $22.10 in shipping and ins. fees since the seller won't refund me! I negged the seller for his irresponsibility in not being upfront that the coin was damaged only to see eBay remove the neg in 2-3 days.

Leo