What grade would a TPG give this?

spoon

Honest question.

This is a coin I'm thinking about getting and my question here doesn't really impact on my decision, but I collect small German silver/billon and this is just something I've wondered about for a long time. Now I finally have a decent enough picture to show you guys (tho not mine!) and ask it...

How would PCGS, NGC, take your pick--how would they grade a 150+ year old billon coin like this? The fields are immaculate--MS68 at least. But the details are often oh-so-slightly weak or show very minimal rub or sometimes "slider" qualities. On a ~13mm coin over 150 years old with a silver wash, isn't it understandable for the high points to be dull? Isn't it almost absurd to expect otherwise?

So, how do you think something like this would be graded? Please explain if you have the time. This seems an interesting topic.



I guess the easy answer would be to submit it and find out... but, shoot, that's a whole 'nother coin I could spend that money on!
(Plus, I don't have a TPG membership!)

coinkat

EXCELLENT question... I would rather have the coin in hand before offering my thoughts as to the grade.

MSD61

I'd say TPG would grade this between MS62 to MS64. I think this because they may view the details weak and that could hold the grades down on it. BUT that's my opinion and since I am not a pro grader whatta I know

MacCrimmon

spoon, do the fields have booming lustre? Is the image a B/W? When coinkat says he'd need it in-hand, that is very true.

The graders wouldn't think it too unusual for the high points to be a bit dull, but the key criteria in a case as this is, how many coins like this have the "graders" seen. If K. Stephens was in the 'grader-mix', then it would be properly assessed.

farthing

I have one of those myself. I think the grade would depend on the lustre and any breaks in the lustre that are noticeable.

1jester

I think technically it would have to be AU58. But I can understand the desire to have it graded MS67 due to the lack of honest wear. Very interesting question indeed.

SYRACUSIAN

MS62

Steve27

I think they would give it an AU58 because of the rub.