Grading counterstamped coins

coinpictures

Which grade dominates, the grade of the host coin or that of the counterstamp?

I just got my first example of a lovely Guatemalan counterstamp on a Peru 1 Sol. The host coins is a solid AU, but the counterstamp appears BU.

Gorgeous piece. These are priced dirt cheap in Krause. Why don't they show up more frequently? Or is Krause all wet...

1960NYGiants

I would think the counterstamp caries the most grade weight with possible exception for scarce date host coins. For example, this counterstamp turns a $3 host coin into a $400 rarity:



But if it were on a 1804 dollar, it would detract from the coin's value.

1960NYGiants

Here's one where the counterstamp adds minimally to the value. But its still a neat issue.

MrEureka

Properly, I'd grade the host and the counterstamp separately. In practice, I usually don't bother grading them at all, and I do buy a lot of counterstamped coins.

However, when the coin needs to be slabbed, I would expect the TPG to grade the coin based on the condition of the host.

MrEureka

These are priced dirt cheap in Krause. Why don't they show up more frequently?

Because you're looking in the wrong places. For the most part, the coins are dirt common.

rhound1977

<< <i>I would think the counterstamp caries the most grade weight with possible exception for scarce date host coins.

<< <i>

I have two counterstamped George III pieces, and they are graded based on the counter stamp.

newsman

<< <i>However, when the coin needs to be slabbed, I would expect the TPG to grade the coin based on the condition of the host. >>



I don't know about other TPGs, but that's what PCGS did with the counterstamped Brazilian coins I have.

MrEureka

I don't know about other TPGs, but that's what PCGS did with the counterstamped Brazilian coins I have.

Naturally. They have no choice. Imagine a VG host with an unc counterstamp. If the TPG graded the coin unc, they wouldn't look very smart to most people.