What are the graders looking for...

stephunter

when they grade proof coins. I have a nice 1940 Jefferson (don't get excited, rev. of 40) that looks very nice, but it is in an old style 66 holder. Proof coins do not have bag marks, so what do they deduct for?

Thanks

Placid

Hairlines and spots.

nwcs

Hairlines, spots, scratches, dings made that you don't ordinarily think of as being on proofs, and other minor problems.

airplanenut

Also haze and anything that impairs the mirrors.

stephunter

"Hairlines and spots. "

Where would hairlines come from? Polishing of the dies? But these would be raised, right?

nwcs

Hairlines can come from the handling of the coins (mint employees or elsewhere) or be transferred from the die which had hairlines (not polish) on the mirrors.

Placid

Friction. Just putting a proof in a stiff flip can cause hairlines if your not careful.

stephunter

Thanks for the input. I am going to take a shot at a 67 with this coin.

keets

hey Stephunter

don't forget about strike. in order to grade higher than PR65 the coin must have fully struck steps and a clean cheek and neck area. any weakness at the steps, which will almost certainly be under the third pillar, will result in the coin grading PR65 or lower, depending on the other details mentioned.

al h.

stephunter

Thanks Keets, I didn't realize that there was much of a strike difference on the proof Jeffersons. I assumed that all proof Jeffs had fully struck steps.