What is the most difficult coin series to Grade? (two part question)

DoubleEagle59

Let's split this up into two categories.

1.) What is the most difficult series to grade in MS condition? Let's include AU's also, say from au50 to ms67. By difficult, I obviously mean what series do you find has the most 'difference of opinion' amongst yourselves and including the TPG's.

My limited US knowledge, I'll say Peace Dollars is my choice.

and 2), same question but this time let's just include the circulated grades, from AG to XF45.

I don't have a choice for this one, but I'm thinking it might involve some early gold coinage.

Hyperion

Incuse indian designs and buff nicks... for me...

coinkat

I do not think it can be limited to a single series... the trick is to understand the dates within the series and the striking characteristics.

anablep

I would agree with Hyperion and add Ikes as well, as they have little detail to begin with...

veryfine

Standing Liberty quarters, followed by Peace dollars.

woodardcoin

2.5 and 5 indians for me . (and most darkside)

darktone

Everyone usually say's $2 1/2 and $5 Indians but I don't think so. From a picture on the internet it's hard but in person they are easy if you look at enough. I don't like grading mint state lincoln cents.

Coll3ctor

Is that fruit real

Barndog

grading circ classic commems is difficult because there just aren't enough examples out there to give one the needed experience.

Was reading "Bust Half Fever" today. Edgar Souders says it is rather difficult to differentiate between high AU and MS bust halves. I tend to believe him (given that the TPGs get it wrong with some frequency)

darktone

<< <i>

<< <i>Everyone usually say's $2 1/2 and $5 Indians but I don't think so. From a picture on the internet it's hard but in person they are easy if you look at enough. I don't like grading mint state lincoln cents. >>





Is that fruit real >>



Chandler Pastel painting from the late 19th century.

coinnuttius

copper

OneCent

I find Buffalo Nickels to be difficult to grade in either ms or circ.

bfjohnson

Don't collect them but I think it would be tough to grade the 50 state quarters reverses in circulated grades.

lkeigwin

Peace dollars are certainly up there. I'm comfortable with Lincolns. I have a tough time with SLQ's.

slinc

I'm pretty poor at grading to begin with but trying to grade a few standing liberty quarters i had was very frustrating.

drwstr123

Standing Liberty quarters are the tuff ones for me.

MidLifeCrisis

Not a specific series but...most coins that are considered colonials (or colonial era) are notoriously difficult to grade in MS or circulated.

veryfine

<< <i>Standing Liberty quarters are the tuff ones for me.

>>


Nice 17 T1.

abitofthisabitofthat

Peace dollars to both. Partly because I just don't like them, and don't spend any time looking at them.

Shamika

Most people have serious problems grading Buffalo nickels. You really have to know the uniqueness of each individual date.

Personally, I find 2 1/2 Indian gold impossible.

drddm

According to the 2nd edition of the PCGS book "The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection" edited by Scott Travers, on page 178 Capped Bust Half Dollar - Lettered Edge/Reeded Edge (1807-1839) Circulated Examples, "This is probably the toughest series to grade in American numismatics."

I believe this is so due to the incredible strike differences seen throughout this series.

crito

Yeah, buffalo nickels, at least in higher MS grades. I keep sending in 67's and getting back 66 slabs for some reason.

commoncents123

I find pinpointing the exact MS grade for any series to be exceedingly difficult- - I have become a master of grading circulated Capped Bust halves and quarters this year however...I'm also very good at grading circulated Lincolns

PerryHall

Any really small coin such as 3 silver cents and gold dollars.
$2 1/2 and $5 gold Indians due to their incuse design
State quarters will be difficult once they start wearing down since every coin has a different design

jdillane

I'll second LECBH's.

I looked at a PCGS 1811 slabbed MS64. Overall wonderful surfaces and shimmering luster but I could not get past the slight rub at the chin. It was detectable sans loupe. I couldn't help but think she was a PQ 58. May have been cabinet friction since the surfaces were otherwise so nice.

I used to pleasure in finding weakly struck but highly lusterous CBH's. They are tougher to come by at reasonable prices these days.

Halfhunter06

without a doubt the 2.5 and 5 dollar gold indians, and includes both Unc and Cirs coins, since the hardest part is trying to tell which is which.

garsmith

Peace Dollars because of the weakness of the strike in all years except 1921

ksteelheader

Gold and gold.

roadrunner

I find the 19th century to be far easier to grade than the early 20th century series. In particular incuse gold, Buffs, SLQ's, Walkers, and Peace dollars. Part of this might be due to the larger fields typically seen on 19th century classics. For me, it's a toss up between the Buffs, SLQ's, and Walkers (ie busy designs with many ways to hide marks, varying luster, and huge strike differences). The incuse gold is similar to grading bust halves...forget the highpoint striking, stacking friction and rub, and concentrate on the quality of the field luster and field scuffiness.

roadrunner