An interesting point regarding a difference in how PCGS and NGC grade.

keets

I thought I'd post a quote from an article in the May 31st edition of Coin World on page 56. It's a column by Anthony Swiatek. The quote is in the seventh paragraph from the end of the article and reads in part: ...........Also note that Professional Coin Grading Service grades the edge of a coin, while Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America does not; any impairment of the edge may or may not affect a coin's grade.

I thought this might make for an interesting point of discussion.

I believe that the rim should count towards a coins overall grade, I just find it ironic that with a holdered coin we're unable to see a characteristic which "may or may not affect a coin's grade" and hence, it's value. Also, when PCGS grades a holdered coin for crossover, they are unable to see the rim, which may account for more strict grading of the obv/rev and our angst at the low rate of crossing in-holder coins.

A further point might be the need to see rims on a coin which has edge lettering. Though I don't recall the name of the grading service I recall a start-up company which offered a holder which allowed viewing of the "third side" with a holder that recessed the coin. Did any members ever purchase such a holder and if so, what was your opinion, not so much about how the service graded, but instead, the appearance of the holder and the view it allowed of the coin's edge??

Thanks in advance.

Al H.

Gonfunko

In regards to the company that showed the edge: The name was Digital Coin Grading Serice, acronym DCGS. I didn't ever see or own one of their holders, but I thought showing the rim was a good idea. The trouble was that the slab was too innovative, and had "feet" thus requiring pictures to be taken on an angle, making box storage impossible, taking up too much room in dealers' cases, etc. I also heard that the grading wasn't very good. It would be cool, though, if PCGS showed the edge and used a "top lable" similar to what SEGS uses. After all, it would stink to have what looks like a MS-70 be graded 63 because of the rim that you couldn't even see!

DCAMFranklin

Hey Keets, did you get permission to post your opinion?

mgoodm3

Interesting point. Would be interested to see what HRH would say?

keets

hey DCAM

i see the humor in that very clearly!!!! having strong opinions that differ from the mainstream is one thing, posting them is another. i do, in a way, feel the weight of the whole thing and now see that some consider me a pariah of sorts. but, i shall endeavor to persevere!!!!

now, back to the topic.....................

al h.

Stuart

Al: I agree with your point, and have in fact previously posted in this forum on the "Third Side" of the coin...

Observing the Third Side of the Coin - The Edge -- Thread Link

northcoin

HOw do you get the May 31 issue of Coin World when it is still May 22? OK, I know the answer, but hate being reminded that because I live outside the continental US I have to live on time-delay.

Moving on to the topic at hand, didn't "Photograde" once offer a laminated photo along with the holdering of the coin? Something like that could be offered by PCGS and NGC with a note on the holder to see photo of edge. With digital photos so easy to make today it would hardly slow down the grading process and the photo could be placed in a laminated card the same size as the holder. (That was my biggest complaint with photograde was the huge size of their laminated card that required you to store it somewhere apart from the coin.)

GoldCoinLover

Hmm, does ANACS put the edge of a coin into account for its grade?

beartracks42

Hey Al,

Have you ever heard the term ""Pack sand"? It is my humble opinion that folks who take umberage with your posts and opinions can proceed to do that very thing!

melikecoins

I think the author (of the article, not you keets)is full of it

Glen

Bear

Interesting thread. Such comments are valuable and necessary

to to gain an overview of technical aspects in the grading industry.

pontiacinf

braddick

Keets- good question although I believe there is a distinction between edge and rim. The rim should (and is) considered in the overall grade (filed rims and rim bruises/dents may keep a coin from being graded other than net graded if the damage is severe enough).

But if a reeding (the coin's edge) has a tic or two I don't believe that plays a roll in grading.

BigD5

I don't buy Swiatek's quote one bit. I would suggest emailing NGC, and bringing the quote to their attention, and ask for some sort of comment and/or clarification. Another grading industry rumor in my book.

Shamika

Makes perfect sense to me. The only real way I can tell circulated State Quarters from uncirculted ones is by looking at the edges.

roadrunner

I almost bought a 20 cent piece once until I noticed that someone had crudely scratched in a reeded edge all around the coin. It was a nice XF otherwise. Either service, if they noticed this would surely not grade such a coin.

roadrunner

BAJJERFAN

The first thing that hits your eyes on this one is the edge and its billed as a JHExceptional.

elwood

Both services are slabbing MANY coins with rim problems.
To me, it appears to be getting worse.
It's a disgrace what they're putting in holders these days. ( and what they're not )

keets

hey Stuart

you really pulled that one outa the archives!!! for anyone who didn't chase down the link, Baley has some fine photos of 1795 Half-Dollar lettered edge. along those lines, i recall reading a few weeks ago that the mint is currently experimenting with some edge rolling equipment for some upcoming commems or something.

Stuart, you seem to have arrived at the same question as me about the apparent grade differences in many PCGS/NGC coins at crossover or coins that seem undergraded in the holder. i know one thing for sure, i'll be paying attention to the third side a bit closer now.

al h.