US-Philippine grades +1

newsman

I have been trying to learn how to grade these, and was very pleased with how close I came. My guesses are in bold:

1 03617388 1821-R 960 R BRAZIL AU55/AU55-58. I bought this as an AU, so no surprise.
2 03617389 1904 1/2C U.S. PHIL MS64RD/MS64RD -- I was very happy with this one
2 03617390 1904 1/2C U.S. PHIL MS64RD/MS64RD
3 03617391 1944-S 1C U.S. PHIL MS64RD/MS64RD
4 03617393 1945-D 10C U.S. PHIL MS65/MS65 -- This was a giveaway coin from Tonelover
4 03617392 1938-M 10C U.S. PHIL MS64/MS64
5 03617394 1938-M 20C U.S. PHIL MS64/MS64
6 03617395 1945-D 10C U.S. PHIL MS63/MS64-65 -- a little off on this one

I know there are some folks who think there are too many of these kinds of posts, and cringe at the whole slabbing game, but I'd just like to point out a couple of things:

1. Phil-Am coins are part of the registry set program and grades DO matter -- the prices on these coins reflect this and people are increasingly paying higher amounts for gem coins.

2. If you want gem coins at a reasonable price, you have to buy them raw - and you have to know how to tell them apart from the rest of the herd. These coins are for my collection, not for speculation, and are the best of what I could find after several shows and visits to local dealers. The 1904s were particularly elusive.

Finally, I want to give PCGS a big thumbs up for service: The grades were posted just one month after I submitted, and a lot quicker than expected.

SYRACUSIAN

Good grades, excellent post.



Now when are you going to lobby (with your high contacts in DC) , to convince David to create a Swiss registry too? I don't buy all these beauties ,strictly PCGS, just for nothing.

spinaker2000

You got most of those right!!

newsman

<< <i>Good grades, excellent post.



Now when are you going to lobby (with your high contacts in DC) , to convince David to create a Swiss registry too? I don't buy all these beauties ,strictly PCGS, just for nothing. >>



Maybe one of Ron Guth's darkside buddies could help with that. And while they're at it, I'd like a Panama registry, too, and some GB ones.

1jester

Newsman, I'm not at all surprised, but rather very impressed at your grading skills.

FilamCoins

Very impressive!!

The 1904 is harder than the 1903 and is becoming increasingly difficult to find in full red. And you've got 2 of them!! Great job!

I personally enjoy reading posts about new grades coming in, particularly when the coins are self-made, as this demonstrates a real numismastic skill. There are few things as exciting in this hobby as opening a package from PCGS/NGC/ANACS. It's the same gitty feeling I used to get on Christmas morning as a kid. Weeeeeeeee!

Including pictures rounds out the whole experience and make the thread interesting and informative.

Again, congrats on your latest coup!!!

jetblack740il

I totally agree with Mr. FilAm regarding the 1/2c 1904. The one I have is only MS64RB.

Regarding the PCGS turn around time, did you say it only took a month to get it back? I have a couple more batch waiting, one was accepted on 11/21/05 and the other one was 12/1/06. By the way awesome grading skills...

newsman

<< <i>Including pictures rounds out the whole experience and make the thread interesting and informative. >>



Right now, the post office has the coins, but I'll see what I can do when they arrive.

SYRACUSIAN

Hey Chuck, are you going to teach that ANA advanced grading course with Cameron?

newsman

<< <i>Hey Chuck, are you going to teach that ANA advanced grading course with Cameron? >>



I'm not quite there yet. Those were all easy picks.

When I can grade 960 reis coins with 90-percent accuracy, then I'll be there.