Grading the 1933 Saint

EVillageProwler

Thebigeng asked HRH about the grade of the '33 Saint Tue eve. I remember that there was a big dispute over its grade and how folks were saying that PCGS were simply making a play to have it slabbed by them.

I believe I only saw the coin from a 2-D picture, and I felt that it was a high-end 64 at worst. Of course, I recognized that I couldn't see the hairlines and fine scuffs (if there was any), and I only went by the marks I could see and what little luster a 2-D image can reasonably convey.

Subsquently, I discussed this coin with a dealer friend of mine (he's a crackout dealer who does a lot of gold). He has seen this coin up close, and he felt that the grade was accurate. That seemed reasonable to me since my friend has no hidden agenda. And, I recognized that the 2-D luster was already pretty good, so the real luster must be even better.

Luster rules! And, that "big" hit on the obverse that everyone complained about... it wasn't *that* big, and we should remember that you don't grade gold the same way that you grade nickels. Each metal is different.

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EVP

dragon

I too have only seen pics of that coin, but the obv. fields looked nearly spotless and the lustre looked excellent as well. I know a lot of people had issues with PCGS saying it was a 65 with that ding(s) on the obv. devices, but the rest of the coin looked superb to me. I would agree that it may be a very high end 64 at the worst.

dragon

Baley

heh, the exact grade will only become relevant when there is more than one of these available.

Looks like a solid 64.5 to me, but again, haven't seen it in person. I do think it should be graded just like any other saint, just making the point that
Does the question of whether it's 63 or 64 or 65 really affect it's value?

for a unique coin, it is simply THE 1933 Saint.

until you have another to compare it to, if you want to own it, you pay what it costs, regardless of the grade. I assume the buyer wants it for the date, even though you could put together a GEM SET of saints, minus the '33, for what this one coin costs.