Do the top tier graders take into consideration weak strikes?
SirAnthonyAC
Posts: 646
I asked this question in another thread about a 1925 Standing Liberty Quarter, which are often struck weakly…
Do the top tier graders take that into consideration when grading that year? Do they say, the 1925 is often weak so an identical looking coin, in another year but with well struck full rivet shield, is the same grade as the 1925 with a weaker shield?
I thought the logic was, if one particular year is nearly always weak, then there just won't be any of that year graded higher than, MS64 for example. Unless a first strike is discovered or something than that would hit a higher grade.
Are weak years graded on a scale or are they graded against other coins from that era with the same design?
Do the top tier graders take that into consideration when grading that year? Do they say, the 1925 is often weak so an identical looking coin, in another year but with well struck full rivet shield, is the same grade as the 1925 with a weaker shield?
I thought the logic was, if one particular year is nearly always weak, then there just won't be any of that year graded higher than, MS64 for example. Unless a first strike is discovered or something than that would hit a higher grade.
Are weak years graded on a scale or are they graded against other coins from that era with the same design?
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<< <i>I asked this question in another thread about a 1925 Standing Liberty Quarter, which are often struck weakly…
Do the top tier graders take that into consideration when grading that year? Do they say, the 1925 is often weak so an identical looking coin, in another year but with well struck full rivet shield, is the same grade as the 1925 with a weaker shield?
I thought the logic was, if one particular year is nearly always weak, then there just won't be any of that year graded higher than, MS64 for example. Unless a first strike is discovered or something than that would hit a higher grade.
Are weak years graded on a scale or are they graded against other coins from that era with the same design? >>
Hypothetically, yes! If it were true, the hobby would simply die for many due to the lack of interest.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Depending on the series you will find years with typically weak strikes graded differently than a year that is typically strong.
It does still limit the maximum grade though, just less so on a year that is mostly weak strikes.
rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
K
One more thing. The scarcer the coin, the less likely the graders will know what is typical for the issue, and therefore the less likely they will be to "cut it slack". (As you might imagine, this is more of an issue with Colonials and on the Darkside, where graders haven't seen quite as many coins.)
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
For the type of coins I follow, which includes all the liberty seated series, Trade dollars, and Three cent nickles, it appears that they give very little weighting to strike. You'd think they would, and it really erks me sometimes when I get, or see, a coin that is MS65+ and has a rotten strike from dies that are on their last leg.
I've even saw a MS67 dime that had the worst stike ever.
(1855 arr) I have the same dime in AU55 and it looks miles better and cost about 1/70 the price. I can't see grading a coin that high and expensive, when it's basically junk. What about "market grading"?
some times you have to wonder what they DO look at ?
The answer in reality, at least in my personal experience in dealing with the one coin series I collect, is they are spotty at best.
I've seen more than a few Capped Bust Half Dimes in PCGS, NGC & ANACS plastic with weak strike issues that I believe were missidentified as wear. Obviously, to someone who knows the series well, uncirculated coins with weak strike issues residing in slabs with labels claiming the coins are circulated.
The problem comes from the TPG's not having an expert of every series of coin available to look at each coin of that particular series that is submitted. These graders are forced to be generalists purely because of the sheer amount and variety of coins they grade. To expect them to accurately identify series specific characteristics on a regular basis I think is unrealistic. I've come to half expect to disagree with the assigned grade of a Capped Bust Half Dime in plastic. Some they get, some they don't. Never trust them blindly as it will bite you in the rear end sooner or later.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Too often, folks confuse the "technical" aspects of grading with what Sheldon's scale was originally intended. That being what a certain coin should cost with 1 being basal state and 70 being 70 more times the cost of basal state.
Given that, a particular year of a series that was common for weak strikes could have a coin graded MS65 even though technically it did not compare with a similar coin of a different series that was noted for strong strikes.
The name is LEE!
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>I asked this question in another thread about a 1925 Standing Liberty Quarter, which are often struck weakly…
Do the top tier graders take that into consideration when grading that year? Do they say, the 1925 is often weak so an identical looking coin, in another year but with well struck full rivet shield, is the same grade as the 1925 with a weaker shield?
I thought the logic was, if one particular year is nearly always weak, then there just won't be any of that year graded higher than, MS64 for example. Unless a first strike is discovered or something than that would hit a higher grade.
Are weak years graded on a scale or are they graded against other coins from that era with the same design? >>
Yes, the graders take strike variability into account -- just how much they take it into account varies by type, and even date/mintmark within the type.
Something else I would suggest you think about -- TPGs don't grade coins any more, they rank them. Think about that when considering the strike question, as I think it will give you some insight into the answer to your question. The first person I saw mention this was I believe Monsterman, and I think there's a lot of wisdom in it.
Take care...Mike