AU53, what a lousy grade!

GoldenEyeNumismatics

It seems like almost every coin I see straight graded AU53 should be an XF45. Sometimes though, it seems like a fall-back for really attractive coins that might have a minor problem, such as a scratch. Services will net grade it, and fall back on AU53.

food for thought.

AU58WALKERS

I thought au53 was ef45 of yesteryear

ziggy29

I never really liked the AU-53 grade. Or the VF-25 grade. Seems to me like splitting hairs. I never really thought we needed a grade between 20 and 30, or between 50 and 55. Do we really need four VF grades and four technical* AU grades?

* -- I say "technical" because I would like to see more AU classifications in the 61-63 range. As long as we are going to be market grading with the assigned number, let's at least stop calling technically AU coins MS.

RYK

Yeah, they really suck :

ColonialCoinUnion

I've seen many nice 53s of all types and sizes and denominations and dates and metallic compositions. And plenty of dogs too.

In general, I believe generalizing about certain specific numerical grades as 'bad' is not a productive use of time.

STONE

I don't mind it for larger coins (25, 50, 1.00), but for smaller coins (i.e. 10, 5, 3, 2, 1, 1/2) it's a hassel and hardly ever seen used.

MidLifeCrisis

As with every other grade number, it depends on the coin.

tjkillian

tydye

For some reason I have a problem buying coins when they just made it. I am not talking PQ vs non-PQ but F-15 vs VF20, XF45 vs AU50 etc.

JRocco

I have a different take on this grade.
I like when the whole range of grades are used when they are used properly.

I hate seeing a 53 in a 50 slab as much as I hate seeing a 53 in a 55 slab.

When I started collecting coins were called in general terms...G,VG,F,VF,XF,AU BU, CHBU and GEMBU. Sometimes
you got a real nice VF, but sometimes you got a really poor VF. I like the mid-ranges as long as they are acurate and
agreed upon between the buyer and seller----that was always the problem and is still today.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

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I hate seeing a 53 in a 50 slab as much as I hate seeing a 53 in a 55 slab.

>>



I certainly enjoy finding AU55 coins in AU53 holders

doh

Grades are irrelevant, coins matter.