Mercury People, can you give me any tips on grading raw Mercurys?

fcloud

I recently sent in some Mercury Dimes for grading, and I am confused at the 1929 dime came back an AU 55. I called customer service, they checked with one of the graders, and they found a very small rub in the field in front of Liberty's face.
MY SET
Take a look at the 1929 dime if you like there is a photo in my set.

I looked at this coin before I sent it in and there is no sign of wear on the typical high spots where a person would expect to see rub on AU coins. (The grader agreed there was no rub on the high spots--the coin was 55 because of the mark(s) in the field).

Anyway, any grading tips you would like to share would be appreciated, so I don't go sending in coins not worth grading.

Tony

LucyBop

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=30&threadid=149169&STARTPAGE=1


This was a good link on this subject but, most of the photos are now missing......

fcloud

Thanks, Hepkitty, it looks like I'm gonna be read'n a while!
Tony

Fairlaneman

Hey Lucy you and I were doing the same thing. I sent it back to the top. I guess after awhile the photos disappear.

Tony:

I looked at your 29P in the set. It is virtually impossible to determine rub from a photo IMO. The mulitiple hits on her face does indicate maybe some minor circulation. One thing to remember about Merc Grading and PCGS is that they are very hard on the little ladies for some reason. I have compared Seated, Barber, Mercs and Roosies in the same grade and it always seems the Merc will be the cleanest of the bunch. PCGS does not like our Mercs for some reason. Anyway if you see any type of chatter or discoloration in the Fields more than likely the dime will grade 63 or below. A couple of hits is not included in this. 67 coins even have minor hits. Luster for Mercs is a Huge part of the PCGS grade puzzle. If the Coin does not have full luster it will not grade MS in this series. Watch for Full Luster carefully.

Good Luck with future submittals. Heck I am even scared to submit raw Mercs because of the let down that may occur upon thier return.

Ken

LucyBop

<< <i>I guess after awhile the photos disappear. >>



I always upload to my Hepcatradio server, it's mine, and the photos will be there till I delete them..... This thread was very very useful.... I printed it out so I have the pics to help me with the winged lbertys.... Next time I can put the pics on my server so they will always be there..

fcloud

Thanks, Ken,

What really throws me on this one is the marks on the face are obvious bag marks and are not the problem. The problem on this coin is some almost impossible marks to see in the field in front of her face (not on her face). The customer service rep took the time to talk with a grader on this coin, and I find it very interesting that all the points in which you would expect to keep the coin from MS are fine. It is just this little wisp in the field. Oh well the coin looks great and I will upgrade to a higher grade at some point--I guess I'll have to buy one already in the holder.

I visited a couple dealers yesterday, and one has an absolute beautiful 1931-S he was asking $350. I took a pass because the coin is raw, and with my luck it would come back an AU. He said he was sending it in--he is confident that it will come back MS65FB. I hope he's right! Of course after it is graded he will want a whole lot more money!

Tony

fcloud

Thanks, Lucy,

The thread was helpful even with missing photos, I am not so concerned with the exact grade, I just want to make sure I can tell an AU from MS. Now I have my 1929 to look at to see some of the things they knit-pick over.

Tony

PTVETTER

I know how you feel I have a 1926-P which was graded AU58 I still can't see any rub on the coin there are more marks on the plastic than on the coin itself. I wasn't expecting a MS68FB but atleast a 64FB was what I though ut should have been, but that's life.

Mercury dime in PCGS holders should carry a much larger premium than they do.

fcloud

Pat, Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Don't tell anyone there should be a premium until everyone on these boards completes their sets

Tony

Fairlaneman

I think the word is already out. Nice stuff has been tough to win on Ebay lately. Heck a lowly 37P in 64FB went for double Blue Sheet the other day. Had some Tone but nothing outstanding. Have also noticed that 3 or 4 people are really bidding on Mercs. Have to wonder if they know something that I do not know. Best buys lately have been from local shops. They are few though in the Dime Poor NorthWest.

Ken