Will The Condition Of A Coin's Obverse Carry More Weight In Your Selection/ Grading Process?

RCDB

As I go to more shows and view more coins in person, I find myself favoring coins whose obverse is cleaner even if I have 2 choices that look like they would get the same grade. I'm not talking PQ. I'm saying favoring the obverse condition.
In your selection process, do you favor and ultimately choose coins whose obverse might grade higher. Assuming no toning and equal luster would you tend to choose a 64 obverse,64 reverse over a 63 obverse, 65 reverse?
I like Morgans and I immediately am drawn to the cheek and will purchase those coins that have less hits there.
Do you feel that grading companies have a preference? I guess that I assume that if a coin is deemed by a grading company to be mid 63 on one side and a mid 65 on the other, then this coin would always be graded an MS64. But is that really true? Your thoughts, please.

nwcs

The obverse carries about 60-90% of the grade on a given coin so the obverse is always the most important part for me when I select coins. But I make an exception when the reverse is stunning beyond description.

gsaguy

In most circumstances, yes.

I usually tell collectors that ask about the effect the reverse has on the coin's grade to consider that about the best the reverse can do is to not drag down the obverse. They rarely add to it, at least value-wise.

One exception for me would include modern commemoratives with beautifully toned reverses. Often, the reverse design is as appealing as the obverse in my opinion, and when beautifully toned, I'll buy them.

Good post RCDB.

GSAGUY

kranky

According to the instructors at the ANA Grading class, the reverse can't help the grade, but it can hurt. By implication, then, the coin can only grade as high as the obverse allows.