Help grading Washington quarters please

stman

Just started looking at these (I'm not sure why) in the early dates. I've noticed even in grades of ms65 the high points of the obverse face and hair will have what looks like friction or slight rub. It will have the slight gray look to it. One person said they will get a slight dusting of toning on the high spots. Looks to me like just very light bag marks making them look this way.

Funny, I never have given these coins a second look before, but find the early dates of interest now.
Thanks in advance for any input. BTW, even looking at the heritage site, the Washington quarters in high mintstate, many have this grey look on the high points.

I'm also assuming it could be roll friction?

baccaruda

i have a hard time grading these - i've just gotten into washingtons. some look incredible but i'm afraid i'm gonna pay good money for an AU coin for reasons you've suggested.

i always check the high cheek bone in his face first for rub - that's likely the first place it's gonna get worn.

course i'm just a washington newbie.

MAULUMALL

<< <i>Just started looking at these (I'm not sure why) in the early dates. I've noticed even in grades of ms65 the high points of the obverse face and hair will have what looks like friction or slight rub. It will have the slight gray look to it. One person said they will get a slight dusting of toning on the high spots. Looks to me like just very light bag marks making them look this way.

Funny, I never have given these coins a second look before, but find the early dates of interest now.
Thanks in advance for any input. BTW, even looking at the heritage site, the Washington quarters in high mintstate, many have this grey look on the high points.

I'm also assuming it could be roll friction? >>





I just got a 42 that is exactly as you describe.........Any detriment to the grade??

stman

<< <i>I just got a 42 that is exactly as you describe.........Any detriment to the grade?? >>



Maulumall, not clear on your question? I guess I'm seeing what I describe on many mintstate grades in 65-66.
Maybe because the bust is in high relief?

Android

Many MS Washingtons exhibit this slight rub on the highest points particulary on the upper part of the cheek bone and the curl of hair just behind the ear. Since the strike on Washingtons vary substantially it can sometimes be tricky to grade them as a result. It has been my experience that the "rub" look that you describe will never be found on a coin grading above MS65. Even MS65 can be difficult to get with these characteristics if they are any more than slight. "Sliders" in the series are plentiful, and often difficult to determine.

Andy

DHeath

Stman, what you describe is very common, but regardless of the source, to me they are sliders. Sometimes I have to look at the hairline just behind the forehead of the bust from an angle to see discoloration, but when I find it, I treat it as rub. Marks from a roll should be contact marks. Smooth grey discoloration, no way. Cabinet friction? Not likely for these coins. JMO

stman

Thanks for the replies so far. I normally consider slight rub or slight gray areas on the high points as slight wear. But I'm seeing this on many many holdered coins by pcgs and ngc in grades of ms65.

Can they all be sliders? I know they make mistakes but this seems to be an accepted fact on this series, from what I've seen and heard so far. Anybody else have any input?

Android

Here is an example of what you may be talking about. This coin is graded MS64.



Note the high cheek bone right under the eye.

Andy

stman

Android, thanks for posting the pic. Actually under the eye almost looks like a hit though. But I see a little of what I've been asking about going down the cheek on your pic. And maybe just a touch on the hair to the right of the forehead.

But yes the cheek bone under the eye seems to be a very high point where I see these areas. And also going down the cheek, and the hair over the ear. It's kind of tough trying a new series like this. I've never had a problem with any series, but this one seems to be a little tricky.

baccaruda

on the flipside you can get those coins for AU prices sometimes. one of my dealers had an entire row of silver washingtons on a bidboard, all gem MS. one was marked AU at a large discount and honestly i had to ask him if the reason for the AU was the cheekbone. he said yes but you could barely tell.

stman

ttt for the night crew

Android

Stman,

Here's a 1936 in MS66 and a 1937 in MS67. See the difference between these and the 1932?




Andy