Observing The Third Side of the Coin -- The Edge...
Stuart
Posts: 9,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
I remember reading in John Maben's grading articles that one should always grade the quality of the edge of the coin -- not just the obverse & reverse. I agree, and we all too often don't consider this "side of the coin".
If so, then have you ever noticed how you can see the edge of the coin through a PCGS transparent plastic holder, but that you cannot observe the edge of the coin in an NGC white plastic holder?
I would imagine that a number of coins that grade a bit lower than we think they should may have some sort of rim or edge defect which the grader observed, but that we cannot easily discern or even see at all.
Any other comments or opions out there in Coin Land ?
If so, then have you ever noticed how you can see the edge of the coin through a PCGS transparent plastic holder, but that you cannot observe the edge of the coin in an NGC white plastic holder?
I would imagine that a number of coins that grade a bit lower than we think they should may have some sort of rim or edge defect which the grader observed, but that we cannot easily discern or even see at all.
Any other comments or opions out there in Coin Land ?
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
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Comments
I agree the rim is important, Especially on lettered edge coins. I frequently crack them out.
that said, unless there's something extraordinarily different about the grade of a coin's rims versus the obverse and reverse, the rims usually contribute only a couple of percent to a coin's final grade, if that.
If the rims are damaged, of course, it's a different story, and I'm sure many slabs hide little edge nicks and rubs that cause a "choice for slabbed grade" coin to be "really" just average or low, because of an edge problem that must be factored into the coin's grade, but is not that apparent in the case.
Someday PCGS will introduce a slab for lettered and fancy edge coins that shows the "third side"
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
K S
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>... i fully support 3d party grading ).
K S >>
He must have been on his best behavior back then
Lettered and fancy edges are so much more interesting than reeding and plain edges.
And yes, taking them into account in the overall grade is very imporntant and I believe either all too often missed or excluded on purpose.
I think you should take the time to count the number of reeds.
The reed count will tell you the die variety and if the coin is a possible counterfeit.
As far as grading, I think the big concern with reeding is the body bag factor more so than being taken down a grade.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
From the pictures illustrated, you would be able to see this even in a white plastic holder. So, I think coins in holders are safe. It's the raw coin that is up to your best judgement.
He didn't say anything about the evil stares I was giving him as I was trying to will him into submission!
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
I once sent a bust half to ANACS to be holdered before selling it on eBay (hated to do that). It had an edge device error with overlapping letters. I asked ANACS to attibute that on the label along with the Overton variety and they gladly accomodated for an extra 5 bucks. It was worth it to me simply to pass on the information to the next owner.
Hoot
<< <i>But if the slab has the variety indicated, I'm content. >>
Assuming the variety attribution is right. Unfortunately the only way to know is to crack it out.