Home PCGS Set Registry Forum

WoW!!! I qualified the PCGS World Series of Coin Grading Final


I did try to add one grade on most (over two thirds) coins I graded in the contest. Nevertheless, it is not enough. Here is my analysis of my results:

15 out of 40 match with PCGS grades
13 under-grade by 1
4 under-grade by 2
2 under-grade by 3
4 over-grade by 1

Two over-grade by 2 (well... I have to say I don't know how to grade Indian Proof cents. The one over-graded is the 1872 Proof cent and I put MS66RB and it is an MS64RB). The other one is an very ugly 1897 10$, I said MS60, PCGS says MS62. That's why I never buy gold coins sight-unseen

One over-grade by 3, the 1905-S Barbar quarter. I saw too many contact marks on obverse but strike is very nice and luster is reasonable. I still have difficult time to believe it is an MS65.

And 3 screwed up. I don't want to mention here. Indeed, I did debate whether 1908 Proof Barber 50c is an AT coin or not. Since I saw similar color coins in PCGS holders .......

At least, I feel good that I made all right (100% correct) between MS and PR. Remember that these coins are in holders and it is not so easy to see the rings. I also feel great that I nailed the 1929-D standing liberty quarter grade which is the one I did not add one more level of grade image
an SLQ and Ike dollars lover

Comments

  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • TypetoneTypetone Posts: 1,621 ✭✭
    Congratulations JC, you are not only the King of IKEs, but a darn fine grader!!!

    Greg
  • CocoinutCocoinut Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congratulations, and good luck in Pittsburgh!

    Jim
    Countdown to completion of my Mercury Set: 1 coin. My growing Lincoln Set: Finally completed!
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congrats! BTW, it looks like a fair number of the coins in round 4 were used in previous rounds. I wonder how many people figured that out while taking the test and graded the coins differently as a result?
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice job! Not only did these 4 rounds highlight the quality of many dealers and collectors out there, but it also showed the inconsistency of the PCGS graders as well. When the top 2 graders in the pro division and the top collector (4th round) all call the coin a lower grade, while PCGS is higher, that says something.....not good.
    In particular the half dime grades were perceived as a rule higher by PCGS than the 3 top constestants. And those guys were given ample time per coin too, unlike PCGS graders. After reviewing all 40 coins graded by those 3 guys I came to the single conclusion that they knew what they were doing.

    I would lay my money down on the consensus of 3 top contestants at 1 minute per coin than the PCGS graders who did the coins in the first place. Didn't the contest sort of prove that?

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • jcpingjcping Posts: 2,649 ✭✭✭
    Remember, this is not a contest to see who is the best "consistent" grader. This is a contest that who can make the best guess of PCGS's grades.
    As I said, two thirds of coins that I bumped up a grade when I wrote them down; otherwise, I won't qualify the final.

    > it looks like a fair number of the coins in round 4 were used in previous rounds. I wonder how many people figured that out while taking the test and graded the coins differently as a result?

    Andy, this is a good question to ask Dave. I did not study the previous three rounds of coins so that I cannot make the comment.


    an SLQ and Ike dollars lover
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I did not study the previous three rounds of coins so that I cannot make the comment.

    Nor did I.

    roadrunner: I wouldn't necessarily say that just because the three graders agreed or were more conservative than the PCGS grade that PCGS was wrong. I don't think I've ever graded a circ Flying Eagle cent in my adult lifetime, so my guess of VF20 was just that - a guess! Technically, XF may be correct. And that one half dime was one of the toughest coins in the entire test to grade as it was struck from horribly clashed dies and had a very flat luster. I kept looking for wear, couldn't see any, but put a compromise grade at what I'd be interested in buying the coin. The MS65 grade is undoubtably correct in retrospect.

    I agree with what JC said about the half and the IHC with regards to AT. I've seen worse halves on the bourse floor and no doubt better IHC's have been bodybagged. But that's why it was so much fun! image
  • Congratulations on a great job!

    It is easy to criticize a coin already graded, but much harder to work with a diverse group of coins like those. So I take it both you and TDN qualify to move on to the finals? Will you travel to Pittsburgh? If go good luck to you both!
Sign In or Register to comment.