New PCGS grading designation? "No Decision"

PrivateCoinCollector

I recently bought a collection with a book of Merc's in it. There was a coin in the 16-D slot, but when I popped it out, the coin was badly worn and I could see no details of a "D" mintmark. A few weeks later I took a good look under the microscope and saw some dirt right where the inside of the top of the "D" should be. Last week I sent it to PCGS with a color picture from the stereoscope attached. Today I got my grades from PCGS and I was very surprised. PCGS had stated the coin to be "No Decision" and is refunding my grading fee!!! This is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing. I think it represents some integrity. They are giving me my money back! It sounds like at least one grader thought it was but that wasn't enough. They could have just as easily said "no it is not a D" and kept my money. But they didn't, which means???

My hunch is they did not want anything that iffy (and I'll admit ugly) in one of their slabs. But still they did not state it was NOT a 16-D.

NOW What do I do with it? Before you ask about pictures, I will post but right now I am in the Hotel Lobby of the Broadmore in Colorado Springs (ANA Summer Session) and do not have access to the photo. I will post that on Sunday when I am back home.

Link to submission

TomB

It is my understanding that "No Decision" means that it was so worn that they couldn't tell what it was, it does not mean that one grader thought it was really a 1916-D.

Shortgapbob

I have heard of PCGS using "No Decision" before with coins that they cannot positively identify, but would otherwise grade. Apparently the coin wasn't cleaned or damaged, but they just couldn't tell if it was a 16, 16D, or 16S.