Can you grade Buffalo Nickels as good as PCGS?....GRADE REVEALED

Vetter

Here's a grading test. 1918-D Buffalo Nickel in a PCGS slab. What would you grade it and what did they grade it? Answer on Thurs. Good luck!

ProofCollection

VF30-35

Sunshine Rare Coins

35

guitarwes

35

ziggy29

I'd also go with 35.

crypto79

I wanted to say 35 but since that one is taken I will go with 30

Crackout

VF-25

Shamika

VF-30

doh

XF40

Merc

VF30

GoldenEyeNumismatics

xf45

dan383

25..........on a good day 30





Dan

STONE

VF-30

NHSBaseball

VF 25- not my series.

Mikensay

Was the obverse cleaned at one time? I'm still learning but I can't get past what seems like lines going down the coin. Could someone comment on this to help me understand.

TwoSides2aCoin

Tough call. I suppose it's weakly struck and could be as high as XF, or it could be normal wear and as low as VF 25. This is not my speciality and I cheated by using a book by John W. Dannreuther and still couldn't tell ya for sure.

SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>xf45 >>



I have to agree with GoldenEye on this one...

There are certain Buff issues that one has to look beyond the "normal" grading points... notorious for weak strikes/eroded dies... the 18-D is one of those... while stronger strikes can be found it is "normal" to find weak ones.

On the Obv., while the braid appears to have VF detail... yet if you look at the strong date and Liberty with no breakdown of the rim... and the detail of the hair on the top of the indian's head...and the detail of the feathers...these are strong XF details...

On the Rev., there is obvious weakness in the Bison's head yet this is offset by the strong raised tail and details on the Bison's back...along with strong lettering all around...

If there was alot of luster on this coin it might even go AU50... remember, we're talking "Commercial" grading here...

Me personally... if I had this raw, I'd give it a 40+... my guess is PCGS gave it a 45... (edited to add... unless it was graded in the last few months...in which case it MIGHT have gotten a VF35 or even a 30)...

jerryf43

vf30

zeebob

I don't mean to hijack this thread. But, maybe we could have a little supplementary posting...

I have to admit, I'm not very good at grading. My first impression was F-15 or maybe VF-20. Clearly I'm 10 or 15 points below what the more experienced members think. Would someone be kind enough to post (or PM) a photo of an F-15 (5C not aircraft) or VF-20 of the same type so that I could compare? I thought the lack of detail in the bust's hair and feathers as well as the wear on the buffalo would preclude a VF-30+ grade.

Thanks,

Bob

UncleJoe

My grade: 25
PCGS: 30

Joe.

Unknown

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SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>My money is with Sea Eagle Coins, if only the graders took that much time with the coins they grade >>



Thanks, Realone...

To be fair, I can observe all that I mentioned in my post much quicker than I can write it... or read it for that matter...

If one is aware of the date/mint issues with the Buffalo (or any other series) then one can quickly scan and grade a coin.

Yet, I need to address the OP's title to this thread... I do not consider grading a matter of competition... it is a matter of opinion...and I'm not the first person to point that out

Whether PCGS agreed with the grade I assigned or not, that will not change my opinion of the coin. I like the coin and would be comfortable with it as a Choice XF...

zeek

The strike looks a bit weak. The tail on the rump suggests a 40 but the horn is not 100% full sugesting 25-30. I'd bsay VF-35.

zeek

<< <i>

On the Rev., there is obvious weakness in the Bison's head yet this is offset by the strong raised tail and details on the Bison's back...along with strong lettering all around... >>



I thint the bison's cape is a bit weak.

Frankcoins

VF35

grip

30

buffalohunter

35

Fairlaneman

PCGS says 20 after seeing the VG that was on the same site this coin came from. I think the coin is a little better. 30

Ken

Vetter

<< <i>PCGS says 20 after seeing the VG that was on the same site this coin came from. I think the coin is a little better. 30

Ken >>


Um, what site was that? I can assure you that this coin is not from any site. Keep the guesses coming.

Fairlaneman

<< <i>
>>



Not a NFC picture? Man it sure looks like it.

Ken

Type2

VF-20

Vetter

Well, PCGS graded it.....F15. It didn't even make it to VF?

zeek

crack that bad boy out....now!!!

zeebob

<< <i>Well, PCGS graded it.....F15. It didn't even make it to VF? >>



Isn't that interesting.

Thanks for the game! Very fun.

SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>Well, PCGS graded it.....F15. It didn't even make it to VF? >>




Well...and if this is wetting their carpet...too @$%^ bad...

If that is an F-15 then 99% of the Buffalos in their VF and XF holders need to be bought off the market!!!!!


I might have been a bit over the top in my original assessment...yet I did add the possibility of a 30 or 35...

To give them the benefit if the doubt, perhaps it was an error (mixed up paperwork?) or maybe the graders were just having a REAL bad day... who knows, maybe they had just finished grading 5000 ASEs and had no idea what they were looking at...

zeebob

<< <i><snip> the graders were just having a REAL bad day... who knows, maybe they had just finished grading 5000 ASEs and had no idea what they were looking at... >>



Those are interesting comments. I've often wondered how mood affects grading. I assume multiple people look at each coin, so I'm thinking mood probably doesn't come into play much. But I have to think the switch between something like MS ASEs and a circulated older coin must have a certain impact on the grading team. It must be fascinating to be a grader.

Vetter

<< <i> It must be fascinating to be a grader. >>



I'm sure it's like most things. After awhile it just becomes "a job". I do wonder sometimes if the grading services under grades some coins because they know they will be cracked out and resubmitted. More revenue for them.

coinkat

40 and I think it is a nice coin

zeek

I'll give you an F15 or even 20 price for it crack it out, hord it for 5, then sell as an XF

SeaEagleCoins

<< <i>

<< <i> It must be fascinating to be a grader. >>



I'm sure it's like most things. After awhile it just becomes "a job". I do wonder sometimes if the grading services under grades some coins because they know they will be cracked out and resubmitted. More revenue for them. >>




Blasphemer!!!!

How can anyone possibly utter (or in this case, type) such things????


Look out, cause a "surgeon" just may come along and remove such thoughts!!!

May I suggest a deep breath, perhaps a long walk and a great big, strong drink of kool-aid before any further posting...

WinPitcher

I thought it was a VF coin.

Steve

coinkat

F15 does not even pass the straight face test... that grade is beyond absurd.


Look at the striking characteristics... the rims and F15 is just not in even a possibility

Shamika

Geez, I wish I could find F-15's that looked like that.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

That coin is simply graded wrong.

Frankmason

PCGS grades coins wrong????

ecichlid

I need that coin for my collection. I will gladly give you VF money for it in the F-15 slab. Heck, I would crack it out of an EF slab and go into my Dansco. I guess that makes me one of those stupid collectors.

I won't even mail back the tag. The whole pop report will be screwed. Justice served!

TwoSides2aCoin

<< <i>
>>


No problem getting a sticker for this one. PQ for the grade.

JungleFever

XF 30

Tyler1924S

VF-30. It's a VF, regardless. F-15 is not even a consideration.

Merc

Crack it out and have it graded again if you are selling it. Grading is just a game at times. I have seen the same coin receive a variety of grades.
If you are keeping it, just leave it in the holder. You know the real graded based on the ANA grading standards and don't need a holder to tell you the grade.