Don't judge a coin by its image ...

Sunnywood

Those who have read my posts over the years know that I am pretty consistent in my cautions about images. My usual admonition goes something like this: Just remember that two different images of the same coin can look completely different. One may inspire reactions such as, "Wow, that's an awesome monster!!" while the other gets nothing more than a "Ho-Hum."

This is particularly true of toned coins. I have had the experience of posting an "ordinary" image of a magnificently toned coin, with virtually no response, and then later switching it to a vividly colorful image of the same coin that elicits a dozen responses filled with superlatives.

For this reason, I believe one cannot pass judgment on coins based on images. One cannot make purchasing decisions based on images. And certainly, one cannot grade accurately from images, especially in the grades where luster, rather than wear, is determinative (e.g. AU55 and up).

Sometimes two different images can both be "right." For example, there are coins with "old-time" toning that appear, at first glance, to be absolutely dull with filmy greyish or brownish patina and little eye appeal. Rotate that same coin under a light, and in some cases voilá you suddenly get a reflective angle that reveals beautiful surfaces and colors.

Here are various images of the same coin, my 1884-S Morgan, currently graded MS64 by PCGS, but a solid stone-cold original gem in my book. (The price differential is so great between 64 and 65, that PCGS is extraordinarily careful and reluctant to hand out the MS65 grade. I don't fault them for that.)





Those are Bowers & Merena images, above. Now here are some ANR images:





Now let's see some very different images of the same coin. These are PCGS True View images, taken with the coin out of the holder, where you can illuminate and image the coin at that "perfect" angle that sees the surfaces through the "old time" toning without the problem of glare from the holder. Yes, the coin really looks like this, if you view it at the proper angle, under the proper lighting conditions. The coin also looks like the Bowers & Merena images, if you view it in a cursory fashion, without bothering to tilt it under a light to see what's really there.





This is why I always say, two different images of the SAME COIN can look totally different !!!!!! Don't judge a coin by its image !!!!!

Best,
Sunnywood

CoinRaritiesOnline

I nominate this thread for Post of the Year!

Amen to dat, Brudda.

Unknown

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lasvegasteddy

that's where "gif" images can reveal all in one image

Staircoins

Oh my.

Thank you for posting.

Mike

Broadstruck

Nice post and nice coin Sunnywood... yet I still like the 93-S better!

DorkGirl

Very true, thanks for sharing.

Sunnywood

Thanks for the high compliment CRO (and everyone else) !!!

barbershopper

<<For this reason, I believe one cannot pass judgment on coins based on images. One cannot make purchasing decisions based on images. And certainly, one cannot grade accurately from images, especially in the grades where luster, rather than wear, is determinative (e.g. AU55 and up). >>

If only sellers of raw coins on eBay would add this as a disclaimer to their listings, there'd be a lot less criticism of them.
Don't get me wrong. I don't sell coins there. In fact, I haven't sold anything there is over a year and don't know what
it was! Most of my selling was old/antique post cards which I scanned well and never had a complaint.
JET

Sunnywood

Anybody else have two very different images of the same coin to share?

lasvegasteddy

hey sunny,
here's one image that contains 4 images to capture 3 different images of one coin...a "gif" format laying images on top of each other.
real simple to do too at www.gifninja.com

derryb

I sure wish PCGS would include their grade on their images.

Barndog

required reading! Thanks for sharing.

kryptonitecomics

I always try to take color and luster shot so I can show the difference as sometimes the luster shots hide the color.....and of course the color shots hide the luster....


Here is the best example I could find....this coin is fire red in the center of the obverse with emerald green around the periphery and rims. The reverse is solid emeral green....but in the luster shot it looks chocolate brown. In hand....no matter how you angle the coin in the light...it's stunning emeral green so the color shots show that very well but also show 0 luster.







and here is one more....this coin is amazingly colorful in hand but looks somewhat dark in the luster shots.....the color shots show off the color a lot better....

eyoung429

Sunny,
Here's one that was pic'd by different ppl, declared cleaned and AT.

original owner - scan



my pics






had the coin previewed at Long Beach by Claychaser where it recieved thumbs up and a pre-approved CAC

Here's the True-vue

VF35

ecichlid

<< <i>I nominate this thread for Post of the Year! >>



I third it! I just learned another important lesson with paying a dime. Thank you.

Aegis3

1870 assay medal.

My image, 2004/5:


"Bowers & Merena", 2003:


Mine might be slightly dark, but is by far more accurate.

Sunnywood

Wow those are some amazing comparisons ... who would believe that 1809 Bust half in the PCGS True View is the same coin as the dark raw photos !!!

PCGS doesn't put the grade on the images because the images are created separately from (and prior to) the grading room. But you can always go to the "Cert Verification" page on the PCGS website, plug in the cert number, and get the grade.

Best,
Sunnywood

ColonialCoinUnion

lasvegasteddy

tuff crowd as with a ".gif " it's a viewing of a coin under different lighting angles to produce a "all in one" shot

video would even top that

speety

If the pics are too big i'll delete them, they're the only ones i got

robec

Sunnywood

speety those are the biggest trimes I have ever seen !!!!!!

IGWT

BlindedByEgo

Thank you for the beautiful coin, images, and education!