Grading question?

holadude

I have some PCGS PR69 coins that I can't see a hint of anything wrong with, what do they look for that makes the coin 69 rather than 70, or is it just their mood at the time? I am just trying to learn.
Thanks!

Julio

Sounds like a trick question. Honestly I don't know. To me it's just an opinion. No clear standards. Bad anology but why does a 1st. strike get a premium? Yes, a 70 is perfect but... a 69 is not. MHO; depends on the umpire. Can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I'm about ready to buy some bullion. jws

AlixTCat

YMMV, but ALL the MS69 and PR69 coins I have contain at least one flaw. It may be a small flaw, only viewable with a loupe, but the flaws are there. These flaws inlcude, but are not limited to: hits, dings, scratches, small rub, sparkles...

On the other hand, the 70's I have are all flawless.

I don't collect many 70's because I can't afford them and don't see spending the extra money on one coin when I can buy several 69's instead with the same money. The price difference between 69 and 70 can be quite extreme.

Jonathan

holadude

Thanks!

ziggy29

In theory, a 69 may have a small number of minute flaws. A 70 should have none, at least below a certain level of magnification.

Personally, unless you are concerned with a "finest known" registry set or regularly expect to view your coins under 10x magnification or more, I'd save my bucks and buy 69s instead of 70s, as you can often get 10-20 69s for the price of a 70, and without heavy magnification, there's very little visual difference.

BillJones

<< <i>there's very little visual difference. >>



And if that PR-70 grows a spot, a good part of your investment in it is down the drain. About the only way to come out on flawed PR-70 graded coins is to sell them to someone who is buying the label for registry purposes.

Julio

On the other hand, the 70's I have are all flawless.




Perfection is a myth. Flawless? Are we talking coins or religion? JMO but perfect/flawless is a matter of faith. Man has yet to make a flawless ball bearing and coins... ? I love them, but mankind will have done the impossible when flawless is anything but a subjective opinion. jws

ABC123

Under high magnification---nothing is flawless ! Try to get NGC/PCGS to disclose what power magnification is used to distinguish 69 from 70---good luck !

airplanenut

<< <i>YMMV, but ALL the MS69 and PR69 coins I have contain at least one flaw. It may be a small flaw, only viewable with a loupe, but the flaws are there. These flaws inlcude, but are not limited to: hits, dings, scratches, small rub, sparkles...
>>

So you would crack one of your 70s and send it for a regrade to confirm it was a 70?

MrBreeze

Here is what they do. They break out their old D&D twenty sider. If they roll a twenty, bam, it's double damage and you get a 70.