A new (personal) coin classification: G.U.M.

RaginsteveK

meaning : looks "good until magnified" { or photographed- which sometimes brings out the worst or highlights the "unnoticed", in exaggerated fashion}

it has finally dawned on me that this might help to explain, or provide consistency to: MS 64 vs 65; or 65 vs higher-gem.
{I'll still be scratching my head over a number of coins I've seen, here and elsewhere, labeled MS66 or 67}

pix are welcomed.

edit: after a consensus* near-gem came back NGC MS62, I was afraid to send this one in:
M$ '79-O

*part of the consensus is the guy here who traded for it (BTW- I'm very pleased with the coins I received: seems like a win-win transaction)

SeattleSlammer

While it's true that graders use a loop to magnify coins during grading, it's also true that when it comes to Morgans, those same graders are more than capable of accurately grading them 60-69 using just their eyeballs (with the one exception that when it comes down to deciding between a PQ 68 and a 69, a loop will be helpful).

kranky

It's a crapshoot to try to grade a coin from a photo, and you can't learn how to grade mint state coins that way. Try to get to a show and look at a bunch of coins in person. Also remember that 20% of coins are "liners" - borderline between grades. Those can go either way.

RedTiger

I doubt it is flaws that are visible only with magnification, that is causing the drop. The exception would be at ultra moderns for grades 69 to 70. Pro graders don't use a loop when grading Morgans, only for authentication, surface alterations and varieties. More likely it is the overall luster, or perhaps market grading due to suspected dipping.

It is going to take a while for most newbies to learn how to grade. Many make the mistake of favoring marks or luster too much. Both are important. Luster is often the more difficult to get a handle on.

RaginsteveK

I'm buying every slabbed Morgan that fits my style that I can (some of the grades have me really puzzled).

I'm also considering submitting a number of raws that I normally wouldn't bother with, chalking it up to educational expenses.

ambro51

G.W.M. Good When Magnified

RaginsteveK

GWM- that is NICE! I could use a few more of them.

garsmith

I thought maybe it stood for:

Gawd Ugly Mess