Test your small cent grading skills - why is this IHC not graded higher than MS-65?

Pushkin

To the naked eye the coin has outstanding luster and appears almost flawless.

1885 PCGS MS-65 BN

DickyBetz

I can see 4-6 small ticks in the fields on the obverse. That along with the dings on the eybrow and cheek will hold it back.

kryptonitecomics

Would have to see it in hand since it looks like there are some big smudges on the holder. I can see several marks Obverse and Reverse though most are small and located in the fields.........I can't nail it down to one flaw per say but it certainly looks like a solid 65/Slider 66 from what I can see in the images.

jayboxx

Some ticks on the face and obverse field, and there also seems to be something going on with the hair near the back of the neck, can't tell if it might be on the plastic or not

Pushkin

<< <i>That along with the dings on the eybrow and cheek will hold it back. >>



My apologies for the lighting, the eyebow and cheek "dings" do not exist, they are do to the lighting. The same with the fields, no marks in the fields or cheek even at 10X.

AmericanCopper

Neither PCGS or NGC is overly generous with MS66 grades in this series, but I would have no problem buying that in a 66 holder. It's a nice coin with a pretty fair strike and more importantly, has no carbon spots or toning blemishes often seen on MS65's. I have no clue why the grader didn't see it that way.

DickyBetz

<< <i>

<< <i>That along with the dings on the eybrow and cheek will hold it back. >>



My apologies for the lighting, the eyebow and cheek "dings" do not exist, they are do to the lighting. The same with the fields, no marks in the fields or cheek even at 10X. >>




Well in that case I'm stumped.

Lakesammman

Prominent hit on the "head band", spot 3 o'clock obverse, indistinct hair appears to be slab smudge. Somewhat weak shield shouldn't hold it back. O/W very nice coin.

michael

Test your small cent grading skills - why is this IHC not graded higher than MS-65?
Created On Thursday 15, December, 2005 8:35 PM by Pushkin


that planchet flaw just below the y in liberty in the ribbon

Pushkin

The coin is one of the most beautiful IHCs I've ever seen. It looks absolutely flawless at first sight, with exceptional luster and a wonderous cartwell effect, even though it is a brown. Unfortunately, it has one problem. The problem has nothing to do with the fields, or the cheek. It is there and once you see it you will never forget it. The problem is more deceptive when you see the coin live becuase the coin's beauty distracts you from noticing the problem, for most people anyway.

Pushkin

Several of you got it, of course. Wish you could see the coin in person. The luster and color actually hide the defect very well, it shows up more in the pic.

pursuitofliberty

beautiful coin ... but the grade limiter IMO is the hit on the headband, behind the ear

RW

I see a nice nick on the headband.