PCGS grading - need guidance please
z2im
Posts: 10
First, I am new to the PCGS message boards and to the practice of submitting coins to a grading service to have then slabbed. I would appreciate the guidance of the experts (you folks).
I recently purchased a 2001 Kennedy proof that was sold to me as a Prf-68 DCAM. Though the coin is not of high value, I
decided to submit it to PCGS for grading and slabbing as I believed that the grade warranted the investment. While I believe that PCGS grading standards are stricter than the other services and I understand that conditions of modern proofs must be very high to be awarded high Prf grades, I am very confused about why the coin earned only a Prf-64 DC grade. To my surprise and dismay, the coins were returned slabbed, but there was no information provided regarding how the grade was arrived at.
So as not to invest in slabbing of coins that are not of sufficient value to at least recover the fees, I am interested in your opinions of this coin and your advise regarding how to determine if a proof coin will be of sufficiently high grade to receive
a Prf-68 or better grade.
BTW, two of the other coins that I received were returned as "Cleaned or Whizzed". One is a 1881-S Morgan that should have earned at least a MS-64 and perhaps an MS-65 grade. The other is a 1943 Mercury that would have received a MS-65 FB grade had it not been cleaned. Your guidance on how to determine if a coin has been cleaned (devoid of scratches) would also be appreciated.
This was an expensive lesson for this first-timer!!
I recently purchased a 2001 Kennedy proof that was sold to me as a Prf-68 DCAM. Though the coin is not of high value, I
decided to submit it to PCGS for grading and slabbing as I believed that the grade warranted the investment. While I believe that PCGS grading standards are stricter than the other services and I understand that conditions of modern proofs must be very high to be awarded high Prf grades, I am very confused about why the coin earned only a Prf-64 DC grade. To my surprise and dismay, the coins were returned slabbed, but there was no information provided regarding how the grade was arrived at.
So as not to invest in slabbing of coins that are not of sufficient value to at least recover the fees, I am interested in your opinions of this coin and your advise regarding how to determine if a proof coin will be of sufficiently high grade to receive
a Prf-68 or better grade.
BTW, two of the other coins that I received were returned as "Cleaned or Whizzed". One is a 1881-S Morgan that should have earned at least a MS-64 and perhaps an MS-65 grade. The other is a 1943 Mercury that would have received a MS-65 FB grade had it not been cleaned. Your guidance on how to determine if a coin has been cleaned (devoid of scratches) would also be appreciated.
This was an expensive lesson for this first-timer!!
0
Comments
As for cleaning, there are many signs. Most take some experience to master. Some things to look for are diminished luster, a washed out appearance, the smell of the coin (if it has an odor), and an unnatural luster. Also, looking with a look on the devices is a good way to look for whizzing as it usually leaves buildups on the devices.
My belief is that if you look at enough good coins, you can spot the bad ones more easily. Also, pick up a copy of PCGS's book (Grading Standards and Counterfeit Detection). It'll go into much more detail and be helpful. The ANA has a grading class, too. They have it every summer in Denver and sometimes outside of it. I'm going to one in March in Charlotte. 3 day class.
And, Welcome aboard!
Russ, NCNE
Yep, there's a touch of haze, but that wouldn't put it in a 64 holder.
Russ, NCNE
Some of my early submissions had no planchet flaws, no pock marks, had great contrast, but had "smeary" hairlines in lots of places on the fields. That is, they had many hairlines, and were indeed lines that could not be accounted for with metal flow or die strike.
These coins regularly came back as 64 DC. It took a good while of studying my proofs to understand what gets above 67DC.
P.S. Welcome to the forums! The pod grows
Ursa, I thought we were a gaggle???
welcome to the boards!
I would invest in a loupe. Not a fancy one, just a 10x loupe that you can get under $10. When I bought my first loupe, I finally saw all of those hairlines everyone was talking about.
Endo
There is a cost for education!
Brad
Well, I guess we are and do gaggle...
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