I opened the 70 mint sets.

ksteelheader

So far, I've gotten this nice Kennedy. I'll have to do some more research as far as small dates and full step nickels...
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XpipedreamR

That's a pretty decent looking half.

melikecoins

What about small dates?

Glen

ksteelheader

What about small dates?...Two 70-S small dates, and a really pristine 70-P and 70-D quarter....

JrGMan2004

Coolness Ken

Cam40

MS64 Kennedy
Almost a gem.

ksteelheader

MS64 KennedyAlmost a gem.....Sorry, but it's better and has less hits than the MS66 laying in front of me....Ken

cladking

Very nice. It's always fun to open up these old mint sets for the first time especially when you find premium coins inside.

Cam40

i say 64 because its a `70 D.
not a circulating issue so a higher standard of grading should be employeed in this case.

but, what is grading but an opinion.
its more art than science, so yes , it could be called a 66, but not in my opinion.

dont listen to me. i aint no pro grader.
i just think a coin grades whatever the owner says it grades, and whos to say differently.

MSD61

It's coins like that one Ken that are making me appreciate the series. More and more I am leaning towards starting a small collection of Kennedys. Great find

Shamika

Ken,

That is one frosty Kennedy. If you ask me, it's a solid MS66. Good job!

coppercoins

Using the 70-down approach I usually use for grading, I see four areas on the obverse - 4 points, 66. I see three on the reverse - 3 points, 67. I'm counting "areas" because none of the individual hits are large enough to count by themselves, most are surface scrapes, not dings. I don't see any flaws in the strike or luster, and the eye appeal is pleasing. With a 66 obverse, 67 reverse, the coin would average to a 66.

JrGMan2004

Interesting analysis coppercoins... I kinda like it...

ksteelheader

The 70-down method is how I've been doing all my grading for awhile now. It seems to work pretty well, IMO....Ken

coppercoins

<< <i>Interesting analysis coppercoins... I kinda like it... >>



Incidently this is the approach I have taken to grading for years - once you figure out what to take points for and how many to take, the rules are pretty straightforward. When using this approach I can let things slide for NGC grades and be a little tougher for PCGS grades, and I am almost always within a point of the coin's slab grade.

I covered this approach for Lincolns in my book, about two dozen pages worth of grading.

MICHAELDIXON

But, but, it's a Kennedy!!! He's uglier than Franklin!!!

Cam40

i agree the ol` start at 70 and work backwards method does work okay for ordinary coins but,
not all coins.
from hanging around here for the last 5 or 6 years, i,ve learned that theres alot more to grading
than just by what your looking at. It comes down to common sense really if you look at the bigger picture about any given coin. What is it. When was it minted. How many were minted. Any considerations of intent for the coin ie; was it released for general circulation.

each coin of each denomination of each date has its own set of standards by which it should grade
really.
thats the only reason it sounds like i,m being harsh on your Kennedy Ken. Its a great coin no matter
if its a 64 or a 67. Just trying to pass on some ideas I,ve heard mention of while hanging round here
so long.

Cam40

just wondering....did what i post make any sense?
anyone?

ksteelheader

Yes, it did....Ken

jonesy

Great looking Kennedy Ken!!

BurritoGrande

That is a fine looking Kennedy, to be sure. Opening 70 mint sets must have taken a long time

cosmicdebris

Here's a PCGS MS66 to compare to

ksteelheader

Here's another...
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Chrysta

Very pretty Kennedy! My mint set Kennedys look pretty crappy by comparison. How many mint sets do you have to look through? I'm sure you must have posted this earlier since no one else has asked, but I missed it. When I read the title of the post, I thought there were 70 of them!

ksteelheader

Chrysta, this the second 70-D Kennedy I've found that will probably go MS66 (I've gotten one so far). I've opened literally a couple of thousand sets....Ken

Chrysta

A couple of thousand! Talk about looking for needles in haystacks! Sounds like fun.

mdwoods

Nice coin Ken.

ksteelheader

You want to find the good ones, you got to do a lot of looking...Ken

Cam40

If thats a 66, and it says 66 right there on the holder,then Don`s `61 Frankie is a 65, if not a 66.
heck. grading is all over the map. its a damn joke i think sometimes.
nice coin(s) big guy.

BigE

I am curious on this "70 down" approach, do you ever add points for superb color or luster, do you start at 72 if the coin has both of these? And how big must the nick be to qualify as a fault, sounds like ice skating to me--------------------BigE