A candidate for grade guarantee?

Bothuwui

I purchased an MS69 Washington commem last week and recieved it today. (See this thread). Well, I don't think it deserves the 69. I think I'm going to try out the grade guarantee service, but wanted to get some opinions first. In my mind, to be a 69, it should look pretty much flawless to the naked eye. As soon as I looked at this coin, I noticed some flaws. I would have given it a 67/68. I circled 3 areas on the front, and 2 on the back. What do you think?

Monstavet

If those are on the coin, then it is clearly not 69 material. But it is in a holder that says 69, so why are you looking at the coin?

Bothuwui

If there's one thing this forum has taught me, it's buy the coin, not the holder. Unfortunately I didn't listen on this one. I bought sight unseen (except for an image that might not even be of this coin!).

Numismanic

I think the reed marks on the obverse field would prevent it from grading that high, just my opinion.

Bothuwui

I thik there's a spot of PVC by the horse's mane as well. I'm color blind, so can't tell if it's the color of PVC or not.

ElectricEye

MS66

lava

I tend to agree with your original analysis - just not clean enough for a 69.

Dabigkahuna

Spots alone won't keep PCGS from grading a coin MS69. They tend to be more techinical from what I've seen and eye appeal comes second. If it was pvc and the grader missed it then you should be made whole. imho


Larry
Dabigkahuna

Bothuwui

The "spots" in the the 2 circles to the left of Washington's head are dings in the coin, mostly likely reed marks (might be tough to tell from the pic). Well, I think the responses so far convinced me to submit it. I'm looking at my submission form now and don't see anything for a grade guarantee service. Do I select Regrade for my type and 15-day regular for the service level? I'm planning on attaching a note with what I see that prevents it from getting a 69.

By the way, thanks for everyone's assistance so far. I've only gotten into coin collecting in the last year, and am still not feeling real confident in my own grading abilities. I've had quite a few bodybags to help teach me about improper cleaning and artificial toning.

Tonelover

You may want to consider a much more economically feasible option, which is to simply return it for a full refund. You'll pay two way postage and a grading fee just to have them look at it. If they agree with the grade and leave it alone you'll own a coin you're not happy with. If the downgrade it they will reimburse you for some sort of a difference or possibly replace it, the former being more likely. Either way, it's probably not worth the hassle. I'd send it back and keep looking for a better one.

Bothuwui

I was thinking about returning it, but as far as I can tell, I purchased it for less than what I can find another one for. I'm willing to take the risk of it not working out for me, as I'm fairly confident it is not a 69. If the grade guarantee pans out, they refund the grading fee, and if I understand it correctly, find you a coin in the correct grade, or pay out the replacement value of the coin. Basically, I want to come out of this with a true MS69. If PCGS thinks it's truly a 69, Then I'm out about $50, but I'll save money next year by not renewing my $100 membership to PCGS.

XpipedreamR

Doesn't look like a 69 to me. Return if you can, otherwise grade guarantee.