When it comes to grading, some of this relates to knowledge of what you are looking at, some re what graders at a particular services are looking for in grading a particular coin, and some is just plain luck.
"Vou invadir o Nordeste, "Seu cabra da peste, "Sou Mangueira......."
@MFeld said:
When I saw this question posed on a different forum, I went ahead and posted a longer reply than what I’d written here previously. So I might as well add it to this thread.
Based on the parameters given “Standard for a "yes" vote is that an in person grader would not be noticeably more accurate than a person grading from images” the answer is no, in general, people can’t grade from images. Below are some examples and reasons why coins can’t be graded from images.
Proof coins: I don’t care how many people have correctly guessed the grades of Proof coins in guess-the-grade threads, in a large majority of cases, hairlines (which most proof coins exhibit) can’t usually be adequately detected in images. I’ve seen a great many Proof coins in grades as low as Proof 63 that look nearly perfect in images, because their hairlines aren’t apparent.
Uncirculated coins: Differences of a point or more can depend upon luster, color, eye appeal, hairlines and other minor flaws that often aren’t portrayed accurately enough in images.
Circulated coins: Other than in the upper AU grades, circulated coins are typically much less difficult to grade from images. But there are still limitations from not being able to tilt and rotate a coin under good lighting as should be done when viewing it in-hand.
Prooflike and Deep Mirror Prooflike coins: In many cases the degree of reflectivity can’t be detected by viewing images.
Designations such as “FB”, “FBL” and “FS”:
In many instances a coin needs to be tilted in order to determine whether it merits the applicable designation.
Color designations for copper coins: I’ve seen quite a few RD copper coins that look RB in their images, due to inadequate lighting.
Cameo and Deep/Ultra Cameo Proof coins: I’ve seen coins whose images make them appear to be Cameo, but aren’t. And on the other hand, I’ve seen coins that are Cameo or Deep/Ultra Cameo but don’t appear to be so in their pictures.
Yes, excellent images can usually give viewers a good idea what a coin looks like. But they still aren’t a substitute for viewing a coin in-hand. And that’s especially the case when trying to grade within a point (or even less, as in a “+”). That one little point can make a very large difference.
You can buy raw coins and grade from images but generally you cannot be 100% sure of the grade without seeing it in hand. Usually when buying raw from photos you have to hedge a bit.
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
@MFeld said:
When I saw this question posed on a different forum, I went ahead and posted a longer reply than what I’d written here previously. So I might as well add it to this thread.
Based on the parameters given “Standard for a "yes" vote is that an in person grader would not be noticeably more accurate than a person grading from images” the answer is no, in general, people can’t grade from images. Below are some examples and reasons why coins can’t be graded from images.
Proof coins: I don’t care how many people have correctly guessed the grades of Proof coins in guess-the-grade threads, in a large majority of cases, hairlines (which most proof coins exhibit) can’t usually be adequately detected in images. I’ve seen a great many Proof coins in grades as low as Proof 63 that look nearly perfect in images, because their hairlines aren’t apparent.
Uncirculated coins: Differences of a point or more can depend upon luster, color, eye appeal, hairlines and other minor flaws that often aren’t portrayed accurately enough in images.
Circulated coins: Other than in the upper AU grades, circulated coins are typically much less difficult to grade from images. But there are still limitations from not being able to tilt and rotate a coin under good lighting as should be done when viewing it in-hand.
Prooflike and Deep Mirror Prooflike coins: In many cases the degree of reflectivity can’t be detected by viewing images.
Designations such as “FB”, “FBL” and “FS”:
In many instances a coin needs to be tilted in order to determine whether it merits the applicable designation.
Color designations for copper coins: I’ve seen quite a few RD copper coins that look RB in their images, due to inadequate lighting.
Cameo and Deep/Ultra Cameo Proof coins: I’ve seen coins whose images make them appear to be Cameo, but aren’t. And on the other hand, I’ve seen coins that are Cameo or Deep/Ultra Cameo but don’t appear to be so in their pictures.
Yes, excellent images can usually give viewers a good idea what a coin looks like. But they still aren’t a substitute for viewing a coin in-hand. And that’s especially the case when trying to grade within a point (or even less, as in a “+”). That one little point can make a very large difference.
CAM and DCAM coins are super hard. You have to capture them in optimal lighting.
The question is "Can You Grade From Images?" The obvious answer is yes. You can also grade from 10 feet away. "Can You Grade Accurately From Images," No.
Comments
I change my vote. I can now. 😉
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
When it comes to grading, some of this relates to knowledge of what you are looking at, some re what graders at a particular services are looking for in grading a particular coin, and some is just plain luck.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Perfect response.
Proud follower of Christ!
I had an ANA course in US coin grading years ago - it was a real help.
You can buy raw coins and grade from images but generally you cannot be 100% sure of the grade without seeing it in hand. Usually when buying raw from photos you have to hedge a bit.
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
CAM and DCAM coins are super hard. You have to capture them in optimal lighting.
Proud follower of Christ!
The question is "Can You Grade From Images?" The obvious answer is yes. You can also grade from 10 feet away. "Can You Grade Accurately From Images," No.