What does "A couple of unobtrusive obverse handling marks" mean

clackamas

You read the following in an auction listing: "A couple of unobtrusive obverse handling marks are all that stand in the way of a significantly higher grade" What the heck does that mean? We are talking about an MS63 coin.

thisnamztaken

I believe it means that he's hoping potential buyers will be dumb enough to fall for his sales pitch and pay at or near the going 65 price for his greasy, fingermarked, weakly struck, 63 coin.

walkerman

It means the same as "just a few wispy hairlines away from a higher grade" Dave W











The priceless ingredient in any coin transaction is the integrity of the dealer.
David J Weygant Rare Coins website: www.djwcoin.com

291fifth

It means that the auction house is trying to hype a mediocre coin that you should probably avoid.

PerryHall

It's way too vague to have any meaning. This would be a good example where a detailed, high resolution image would help.

Barndog

it means you or a trusted agent should inspect this coin personally if you are thinking about bidding on it

Bear

If viewed from 15 feet away, the marks are not noticeable.

LanLord

<< <i>If viewed from 15 feet away, the marks are not noticeable. >>

In many cases neither is the coin.