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I will ask again.

littlewicherlittlewicher Posts: 1,822 ✭✭
in Q & A Forum
Seeing that graders look at coins so quickly, can a grader accidentally mistake a weak strike for wear? I would appreciate it if you could answer without sarcasm this time. Thankyou.


For some life lasts a short while, but the memories it holds last forever.
-Laura Swenson

In memory of BL, SM, and KG. 16 and forever young, rest in peace.

Comments

  • homerunhallhomerunhall Posts: 2,496 ✭✭✭
    Graders do look at many coins very quickly. I believe that after grading millions of coins...and nearly all of our current staff have each individually looked at millions of coins...it is in my opinion that it is unlikely that a PCGS grader would mistake weakness in strike for wear.

    There are several concepts one needs to be good at when graded circulation strike coins. I believe the easiest is marks and abraisions...you just sort of mentally count and measure the marks. I believe strike is a fairly easy concept to master. Eye appeal is somewhat subjective, but not that complicated once you get the feel for it. But the luster/rub issue is the toughest grading concept to master. It's hard for novices to "see" the luster breaks that are clearly wear and not strike. That said, I believe world class graders can do the luster/rub/strike/wear differentiation in their sleep...and all PCGS graders are world class in my opinion.

    If you have specific coins that you have a question on and can show them to me at a show, I'll be glad to give you my thoughts on the coins.
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