How big a thing is a NGC Star designation?

UtahCoin

I don't follow NGC Star designations much, but was wondering because I got an box of coins back the other day and got a SMS Lincoln graded 67 *. I notice on the NGC website that of the tons of SMS lincolns they have graded, only 11 have been given a star. I didn't realize they were that few and far between.

FLBuffaloHunter

Link

keets

my impression of the "*" designation is simple: the graders believe the coin to be solid at the grade assigned, yet also feel it has eye-appeal which places it apart from other same graded coins. it's sort like the CAC sticker which only goes to prove that nothing is ever really as original as we think. i think Ecclesiastes summed this phenomenon up many, many years ago.

mrearlygold

I purchased this coin several months ago. In my opinion it was certainly "PQ" and arguably Ultra Cam or Deep Cam, or 66 Cam. I resubmitted it after a client purchased the coin and NGC apparently didn't think it should upgrade to a UCam holder but did feel it PQ enough to merit a Star.









No matter what any of them say, I say the coin is a moose and a half

Bear

Ecclesiastes, Good heavens Keets, I will have to make you Bishop Keets

in the next episode of Coinalot. I suppose you could do a lot worse in my

stories.

clarkbar04

At first I thought they only gave the star out to coins ms63 or higher. Now I'm seeing them on ms61 holders.

I've seen some pretty impressive coins without stars, and some pretty plain ones with stars.

PrivateCoinCollector

You should check out the registry values for some of these star grades. Sometimes a star is worth as much as the next grade up.

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>





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Is it just me, or does that coin appear to be absolutely PERFECT!!!

blu62vette

Sometimes it is more of between designations, I see Morgans that have it because one side is DMPL and the other PL or something liek that. I thinik the Star just stands for eye appeal.

BECOKA

It helps reduce the number of so so coins you would have to look through to find an eye appealing coin for the grade.

Personally I could care less if it has a star, I know what I like and don't need anyone else to tell me if it has eye appeal..

MrEureka

I purchased this coin several months ago. In my opinion it was certainly "PQ" and arguably Ultra Cam or Deep Cam, or 66 Cam. I resubmitted it after a client purchased the coin and NGC apparently didn't think it should upgrade to a UCam holder but did feel it PQ enough to merit a Star.

Tom - My understanding is that the star has nothing to do with "PQ". Your coin was probably given the star because the graders felt it just missed UCAM status, and the star differentiates your coin from CAMs with less contrast.

Longacre

mrearlygold-- that coin is incredible

blu62vette

<< <i> I purchased this coin several months ago. In my opinion it was certainly "PQ" and arguably Ultra Cam or Deep Cam, or 66 Cam. I resubmitted it after a client purchased the coin and NGC apparently didn't think it should upgrade to a UCam holder but did feel it PQ enough to merit a Star.

Tom - My understanding is that the star has nothing to do with "PQ". Your coin was probably given the star because the graders felt it just missed UCAM status, and the star differentiates your coin from CAMs with less contrast. >>



I would think on his coin one side is Cam and one is UCAM so they give it CAM*. Doesnt really apply to that coin because it is beyond amazing!!!!

DJCoinz

That half eagle is spectacular mrearly.

Doogy

<< <i> I purchased this coin several months ago. In my opinion it was certainly "PQ" and arguably Ultra Cam or Deep Cam, or 66 Cam. I resubmitted it after a client purchased the coin and NGC apparently didn't think it should upgrade to a UCam holder but did feel it PQ enough to merit a Star.

Tom - My understanding is that the star has nothing to do with "PQ". Your coin was probably given the star because the graders felt it just missed UCAM status, and the star differentiates your coin from CAMs with less contrast. >>



that is exactly how they define it. Not PQ as far as grade is related, but coins with superb eye appeal (i.e. amazing strike, fall short of UCAM but still looks like it, Morgans with sweet cameo contrast but less than stellar mirrors to deserve PL/DPL, rainbow toners, etc.)

UtahCoin

That 65* 1/2 Eagle looks significantly better than my 67* SMS Lincoln.....

fc

<< <i>I purchased this coin several months ago. In my opinion it was certainly "PQ" and arguably Ultra Cam or Deep Cam, or 66 Cam. I resubmitted it after a client purchased the coin and NGC apparently didn't think it should upgrade to a UCam holder but did feel it PQ enough to merit a Star.









No matter what any of them say, I say the coin is a moose and a half >>



how in the world did that not get a ucam? not enough frost on
liberty? some splotches in the fields that are lighter?

a moose is not the right word to describe that. it is awesome!

mrearlygold

I really like that coin

coinkat

Terrific coin

UtahCoin

Here's the coin I was referencing, doesn't hold a candle to that 1/2 Eagle

By the way, this coin came out of a $6 Special Mint Set.

IGWT

<< <i>I really like that coin >>



I hope your client got a good deal on that coin. It appears to be missing its fields.

WaterSport

I like the concept but it means nothing when crossing to PCGS.

WS

OneCent

I think that the star designation is huge! Star designated coins are easy to sell and almost always command a premium. In fact, I have decided to become a member of NGC's collector's society for the star designation alone.

roadrunner

Not only does the 'star" not mean PQ but the coin could be low end for the grade or even the next grade down if only considering technical merits. NGC effectively net grades the coin for its very superior eye appeal and often bumps lower grade coins up to more accurately value the coin. But more often than not in 19th century classics the "star" coins tend to be fairly accurately graded if not very solid for grade. Some star coins can be worth multiples of a non-star coin with the exact same technical merits (strike and marks). A smattering of very attractive coloration can do wonders for a coin's value, esp in those series where most everything is dipped out (ie UNC 1853 arrows and rays quarters and halves).

roadrunner

BobaFett72

on a lot of those Battle Creeks, its seriously overrated.

lkeigwin

I too like NGC's star concept. And I will never sell my star-designated coins. I hope NGC keeps it exclusive.

Supposedly all graders need to agree on the star. If one disagrees, end of discussion. How many graders do you figure are involved? Just three, like they use for tie-breakers?

DennisH

Depends on whom you ask. It's never been something I think much of.
I'd much rather they focus on accurate grading, rather than telling us what they think is pretty. I do agree with them on the gold coin though!

halfhunter

Below is the NGC link that explains the *.

NGC Link

OOPS, SORRY. I now see that this was linked eariler. My Bad! ! !

Regards, John

MidLifeCrisis

Neither the NGC star nor the CAC sticker mean much to me...

kryptonitecomics

I love the star designation from a sellers standpoint. As a submitter I would like to see a little more consistantcy as I have sent in a few hundred coins recently and a few of the coins that should have been absolute locks for the star did not get it......fortunately they still sold for strong money .

CarlWohlforth

I like a star. Most often when I hear a SMS coin has a star I think it is close to the next higher Cameo designation. In this case the star is for really attractive color! Nice Lincoln!

Stella

The Star designation sometimes helps to determine values on the sales side for Proof, Cameo, and Deep Cameo coins.

Although the coins should simply stand on their own merits in terms of how much cameo contrast is present (of course ), proof coins with some cameo contrast (but not enough for the designation) and a Star usually will command a premium. In the same manner, near-miss Deep Cameo coins in Star Cameo holders may deserve the same type of premium. On the other hand, a Star Deep Cameo coin could perhaps represent a proof coin with an extremely exceptional level of contrast.

SkyMan

<< <i>I love the star designation from a sellers standpoint. As a submitter I would like to see a little more consistantcy as I have sent in a few hundred coins recently and a few of the coins that should have been absolute locks for the star did not get it......fortunately they still sold for strong money . >>



Here's one of Shane's NON star worthy coins...




On the flip side you've got ~600 Battle Creek coins that there is no way in he11 they should have gotten the star, that did in fact get the star. GENERALLY though NGC does get the star right. I'll be resubmitting the Washie at some point in time for a designation review, where the odds are high that it will star. As mentioned a star gets you a definite step-up for registry points. The star tends to be given a little more coherently for proofs: e.g, pr, pr*, prcameo, pr*cameo, prucam, pr*ucam.

JRocco

That 1862 gold is unreal.

COALPORTER

I think the star is cool- just hope they don't start to overuse it.
PGCS need to counter with something for high eye appeal.

leothelyon

<< <i>I think the star is cool- just hope they don't start to overuse it.
PGCS need to counter with something for high eye appeal. >>



They do, it's called MS64 through MS67!


Leo

Coxe

Generally, a star is PQ eye appeal for the assigned grade. Of course, eye appeal is subjective and changes over time. There are occasional toners with stars on the that are questionable as PQs anyway. Most really are well assigned. Prices realized in sales confirms the market's acceptance of the designation. I know I would rather get an NGC star slab CAC stickered than cross to PCGS if I was looking to sell.

lcoopie

I like the star designation

it's free
and it gives some additional "grading description"

can anyone demonstrate a "star coin" that is over-graded?

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>That 1862 gold is unreal. >>



At least the pic of it is.