A little grading contest, with a nice prize. (Winner announced)

DHeath · January 4, 2004 12:53AM

I've given some thought to the upcoming PCGS grading challenge. I've decided to sponsor a little contest of my own. Unlike the PCGS contest, you'll grade your own coins, risking your own grading reputation here on the boards, and do so for a much smaller prize. If you wish to participate, here what I have in mind. Over the next 45 days, each participant must submit at least 10 coins to PCGS for grading, whether on 1 invoice or 10. If you submit more than 10 coins, you must identify the 10 you've selected by invoice #, and line #. Once PCGS has received your submissions and you are sure no thief can benefit from your post, you'll post your invoice # and grading opinion for comparison to the actual grade PCGS assigns. Once all the invoices post, I'll award the prize. In the event of a tie, the first poster wins. We will score using the same scoring system PCGS proposes for their contest. The person who most accurately predicts their results will win a lovely 1909 V.D.B Lincoln in MS-65 RD that does not have the V.D.B. attributed on the holder (I won it here in another contest

).

Additional rules -

No PCGS regrades or crossovers.
No bullion coins.
No proof coins newer than 1990.

To participate, all you have to do is post your expectations once PCGS has received your coins. Any takers?

nwcs · January 4, 2004 12:55AM

That sounds like an excellent idea! I wish I had some coins to submit.

XpipedreamR · January 4, 2004 12:55AM

That sounds like actual work...

RGL · January 4, 2004 12:59AM

Great, Don, I'm in...just shipped out six-coin modern submission and 11-coin economy submission yesterday. I assume crackouts are fair game? And, may one pick and choose from 10 coins on two different invoices/grading tiers shipped at the same time?

Stuart · January 4, 2004 1:03AM

DHeath: Thanks for the interesting offer, but since I do not submit coins to the grading services, unfortunately I won't be able to participate.

I would suggest that someone consider posting some high resolution well-illuminated digital images of coins to be submitted for others to evaluate online, and then post the grading results (may be already slabbed coins w/ grades withheld).

I do like the idea of a grading contest that more people can participate in without having to travel to coin shows throughout the country.

Your idea will probably evolve into another Grading Contest! I hope that David (HomeRunHall) reads this post...

jdimmick · January 4, 2004 1:09AM

Don,

Sounds fun, but like others, Its hard for me to find one or two coins to submit, not to mention 10.

DHeath · January 4, 2004 1:10AM

Thanks guys.

RGL, I think crackouts are fair game. You still have to decide what PCGS will think of the raw coin.

ksteelheader · January 4, 2004 1:29AM

I'll take you up on that. You must realize though that this contest may not be over until mid summer due to grading times......Ken

DHeath · January 4, 2004 2:11AM

Stuart, thanks. One of the other things I like about this contest is that the submitter is likely collector working within a series they know well, or a treasure hunter trying to profit from their skills. Both should be fairly proficient. It should be quite fair to the submitters, as they have all the time they want to examine their coins using all the best references thay can find.

RGL · January 4, 2004 4:32AM

TTT on Don's generous contest ... c'mon people, publicly put your grade guesses where your submissions are ...

Agflyer · January 4, 2004 4:48AM

Good timing! I just happen to have 10 Ikes that I need to submit. Count me in and hopefully I'll be able to post my personal grades at some time this next week. Great contest

.

DHeath · January 4, 2004 5:02AM

Will do. I'd say the contest needs to begin today, and end at 12:00 Midnight EST Feb 20, 04. Results will obviously take longer for some invoices, but that will be the deadline for submission.

itsnotjustme · January 4, 2004 5:03AM

Sounds fun. I have a few invoices I just mailed. Assume these are fair game as grades have not posted yet. I'm planning another submission in late Jan.

One more ground rule I suggest. No modern commemoratives, MS or PR. Too easy to say 69 and ship away.

DHeath · January 4, 2004 8:49AM

Agreed.

RGL · January 5, 2004 10:06AM

Don is too modest to do so himself, but I have no such quandry -- TTT.
I don't know about you guys, but hard to look a MS '09 VDB in the mouth ...

ElectricEye · January 5, 2004 10:15AM

EZ win ~ 10 coins with barely discernable dates and detail.... PO1's

Russ · January 5, 2004 10:16AM

Invoice #3032536

Line 2: 1956 proof Frankie: PR66DCAM
Line 3: 1964 Kennedy: MS66
Line 4: 1964 Proof JFK: PR67DCAM
Line 5: 1964 Proof JFK: PR68DCAM
Line 6: Accented Hair: PR65
Line 7: Accented Hair: PR67
Line 8: Accented Hair: PR67
Line 9: Accented Hair: PR67
Line 10: Accented Hair: PR67
Line 11: 1965 Kennedy: MS66

Russ, NCNE

ms70 · January 5, 2004 10:21AM

Great idea! It will be fun to watch this contest.

RGL · January 5, 2004 10:22AM

Errr, Russ ... With your AH grading prowess, you're a shoe-in with a simple submission of 10 of America's most beloved coins ...

coinkat · January 5, 2004 10:24AM

Great idea...

Russ · January 5, 2004 10:26AM

Randy,

He said in the event of a tie first poster wins, so I figured I'd better get my ass in here.

Besides, only half the 10 are Accented Hairs and I'm sure that Frankie will trip me up!

Russ, NCNE

ElectricEye · January 5, 2004 10:26AM

I will grade MadMarty's next submission for him without seeing the coins and still win

all AU58

RGL · January 5, 2004 10:31AM

Well, I am the resident dim wit. I thought you were posting a submission on which grades already had been received. Doh! I can't post mine until I confirm its receipt by PCGS and I settle in for my long wait. It just shipped Saturday ... five lashes for this numismatic nit with an AU AH... I'm sure Marty can rummage one up somewhere to provide appropriate punishment.

DHeath · January 5, 2004 10:38AM

Coinkat,

Thanks. It is actually a variation on something I've done pretty regularly for the last few years. Whenever I submit anything for grading (regardless of the service), I always PM my expected grades to a forum buddy when I send coins for grading. It helps me understand where I need more practice, and what each service likes. I think it keeps me honest too. There is nothing more reality based than appraising your coins the way the services would, and risking credibility if you're consistently wrong. I doubt any of them ever read the PM's anymore, but I always imagine they do.

Russ · January 5, 2004 10:41AM

<< <i>I doubt any of them ever read the PM's anymore, but I always imagine they do. >>

Of course we do. And, I'll state publicly for the record that Don should enter the PCGS grading competition!

Russ, NCNE

fountainheadgold · January 5, 2004 11:47AM

Can we crack out and submit

RGL · January 5, 2004 11:58AM

Don already has decreed that crackouts are fair game ...

Russ · January 6, 2004 5:28AM

Bump for potential contest participants.

Russ, NCNE

itsnotjustme · January 9, 2004 5:34AM

Here are my guesses. The first three invoices were rec'd at PCGS 6 Jan, so grades should come by mid-March. The fourth invoice is ready to mail. I know there are many moderns, but I did get an 1807 and a 1955 in there. Ikes are old moderns!

Invoice 9018252
Line 3 1978-D Ike MS65 Clipped Planchet

Invoice 9018321
Line 1 1807 Large Cent FA02 Comet
Line 5 1955-D Washington MS65

Invoice 9018325
Line 1 1972 Ike MS63 Type 1
Line 2, coin 3 2003-D Jefferson MS66FS $

Invoice 9019186
Line 1, coin 2 2003-D Illinois MS67
Line 3 2003-D Missouri MS68 $$
Line 4, coin 2 2003-D Arkansas MS67
Line 4, coin 3 2003-D Arkansas MS68 $$
Line 6, coin 2 1972 Ike MS65 Type 1

BigAl · January 9, 2004 8:11AM

I'll drop in 2 more by Feb. 20 (unless you'll take an anacs submission), I guess you can count me in once all my guesses are listed. Just dropped these in the mail:

Submission# 9019037
Line1: 1885cc Morgan: MS63PL
Line2: 1889cc Morgan: F15
Line3: 1891cc Morgan: MS61PL

Submission# 3129813
Line1: 1878cc Morgan: MS62PL
Line2: 1879.... Morgan: MS64
Line3: 1882cc Morgan: MS64PL
Line4: 1883cc Morgan: MS63...the coin is PL but i'm guessing screwage.
Line5: 1884cc Morgan: MS64PL

Edited To Include:
Submission# 9020756
Line2: 1881cc Morgan: MS62...could very well go 63PL...gotta have 1 disappointment though.
Line3: 1883cc Morgan: MS64

coinkat · January 9, 2004 9:22AM

DHeath:

I agree with Russ... I hope that you have given the most serious consideration to enter the PCGS grading contest. I suppose its going on now at FUN...

MSD61 · January 9, 2004 9:29AM

I have to wait also PCGS has not gotten my coins yet (proof Ikes) so I quess I'll sit on the side lines and watch

Cheers,
Mike

BigE · January 9, 2004 9:33AM

Can I bet that Russ will win and split the prize with him?, thanks------------------BigE

RGL · January 9, 2004 11:02AM

Ok, Don ... at risk of further humbling myself (is that possible?), here are my guesstimates on the grades PCGS will assign the following coins on two separate invoices, both of which were received Jan. 8. In the event of my death at an advanced age before the grades post, and I win, please present the award to my heirs.

Here goes nothing ...

Invoice # 3112752 (Modern)

Line 2 -- 1967 SMS 1 cent -- MS-68
Line 3 -- 1965 SMS 5 cents -- MS-66 CAM
Line 4 -- 1966 SMS 5 cents -- MS-66 DCAM
Line 5 -- 1965 SMS 25 cents -- MS-67 CAM

Invoice # 3112753 (Economy)

Line 2 -- 1941 5 cents -- PR-67
Line 3 -- 1942 Type 1 5 cents -- PR-66
Line 5 -- 1950 5 cents -- PR-66
Line 7 -- 1953 5 cents -- PR-67
Line 9 -- 1960 5 cents -- PR-68 CAM
Line 10 -- 1964 5 cents -- PR-67 DCAM

I'll admit a couple of toss-ups, but hey, to dream, perchance to dream ...

Thanks, Don, great contest. I await The Humbling.

Edited to correct Line 3 of Economy invoice as Type 1 (not 2). Time stamp on edit will confirm it was done within seconds of post.

mgoodm3 · January 9, 2004 11:33AM

HRH is thinking "Cha-ching" to this contest.

itsnotjustme · January 13, 2004 8:55AM

ttt

Russ · January 19, 2004 10:21AM

Bumpage.

Russ, NCNE

RGL · January 19, 2004 11:36AM

Bump, again, for late-night crew and Left Coasters ...

Russ · January 28, 2004 5:30AM

Okay, people, step up to the plate!

Russ, NCNE

keets · January 28, 2004 6:26AM

hey Don

this is a neat contest. i've done similar "honesty checks" with monstavet, cacheman and RGL in the past. most of the coins in this submission are for my Modern Registry Sets, Circulation Strike Type and 1965-Present Proof Jeffersons, with the last three proofs to fill out my set. some of the others are just nicely toned coins or gems i couldn't pass up. the quarter should be interesting because i purchased it as a non-SMS but chose not to use it in the contest due to the uncertainty. it's a beauty.

these were submitted at the F.U.N. Show on Thursday, 1/8/04 and i checked before i posted this, no grades yet!!!

Submission number----3109744. Received 1/14/04.

Line 1.---2000-D/$1.MS65. nice tone.
Line 2.---1971/$1.MS65. beautiful tone.
Line 3.---1971-D/$1.MS65. beautiful tone.
Line 4.---1976 Type 2/$1.MS66. from an original bank roll, pictured below. MS65
Line 5.---W.W.II/50c.MS69. maybe MS70?? what happens if we come in low?? MS69
Line 6.---1965/25c.MS66. non SMS, at least that's what i think!!
Line 7.---1972/10c.MS65. lovely frosty tone, pictured below. MS64
Line 8.---1973/5c.MS66FS.

MS66FS
Line 9.---1986-D/5c.MS66FS.

MS64FS
Line 10.---1984-P/5c.MS66FS.

MS64FS
Line 11.---1995-P/5c.MS66FS.

MS66FS
Line 12.---1967/5c.MS65DCAM. great mirrors, great cameo and that SMS halo-effect!! MS65CAM
Line 13.---1969-S/5c.MS69DCAM. just about the toughest post SMS date in 69DCAM. PR68DCAM
Line 14.---1972-S/5c.MS69DCAM. rock solid gem. PR68DCAM

al h.

DHeath · January 28, 2004 6:52AM

Looks like a very nice invoice Al. Good luck.

itsnotjustme · January 28, 2004 8:50AM

My first invoice posted today. (I got the line number wrong, but since there was only one 78-D Ike, there should be no question)

100% on the first coin, 1978-D MS65 Clipped Planchet!

DHeath · January 28, 2004 9:13AM

Hang in there Brian. 9 more to go.

Nice shot.

RGL · January 28, 2004 10:43AM

Geesh, I am behind already. Nice submission, Al ... and, on the upside, think how valuable the prize will be when our grades are back (and the Lincoln cent is "closed" series ...)

Russ · January 28, 2004 10:55AM

And, Brian takes the early lead!

Russ, NCNE

keets · January 28, 2004 11:03AM

hey Brian

way to go on that first coin!!!

al h.

ksteelheader · January 29, 2004 8:01AM

Invoice #9019966
.
1....1970D Kennedy.....MS66...Mint set from Wayne Herndon
2....1966 SMS Kennedy....MS66Cam
3....1965 SMS Kennedy.....MS68Cam
4....1966 SMS Kennedy.....MS65Dcam
5....1966 SMS cent...........MS66Cam
6....1966 SMS quarter......MS66Cam
7....1972D Kennedy........MS67
8....1970D Kennedy.......MS65....Mint set from Mike Dixon
9....1965 SMS Kennedy......MS67Cam
10...1965 Sms Kennedy.....MS66Cam

haletj · January 29, 2004 8:14AM

I want to enter! I still need an 09vdb for my Lincoln set! I've never submitted coins before, but I have 8 I want to. I'm going to join the collectors club, but I was going to wait until the Santa Clara show. PCGS will be there right? I can just bring the coins to their table? That sounds a lot better than mailing them. They sometimes have specials at shows too, right? I think I'll still wait. If you're curious my 8 coins are all cents, 1880,1884,1911-d,1915-d,1915-s,1918-s,1926-s,1997.

Russ · February 6, 2004 2:04AM

Well, my grades are in. I got 5 out of 10. The other five graded higher. The three I had going DCAM all went CAM and bumped up a point. Crap! There are a couple coins PCGS is going to see again - and again - and again, until they get it right.

Don,

For the purposes of your contest, I think a contest participant's grade of 66DCAM should be equivalent to a PCGS grade of 67CAM, a participant's grade of 67DCAM should be equivalent to a PCGS grade of 68CAM, and a participant's grade of 68DCAM should be equivalent to a PCGS grade of 69CAM.

That way, I nail 8 out of 10.

Russ, NCNE

itsnotjustme · February 10, 2004 1:56AM

My invoice 9018325 posted.

1 21452636 1972 $1 Type 3 USA MS64 (Guess MS63, 1 off)
2 21452637 2003-D 5C USA MS65FS
2 21452638 2003-D 5C USA MS65FS
2 21452639 2003-D 5C USA MS64FS (Guess MS66FS, 2 off)
3 21452640 2003-W $10 First Flight USA MS69
3 21452641 2003-W $10 First Flight USA MS69
3 21452642 2003-W $10 First Flight USA MS69

Two of these were in the grading contest. I guessed 63 on the Ike, so off by 1. I guessed 66FS on the third Jeff, so off by 2. There goes my perfect average! Of course that also means maybe some of my other Ikes on a later invoice will get some MS65/66s!

DHeath · February 10, 2004 3:18AM

Only 10 days left to enter. If you are submitting, take a shot. I'll close the contest to entries 2/20 at midnight.

A little grading contest, with a nice prize. (Winner announced)

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