To what extent does the condition of the edge of a coin impact it's grade?

SanctionII

The edge of a coin is considered its third side. It can be reeded, plain or embossed with words and/or numbers.

The edges of a coin can be can be damaged, just like the obverse and reverse can. Scratches, marks, hairlines, etc.

To what extent, if any, does edge damage impact the grade assigned to a coin by a TPG? None at all, a little or alot?

ernie11

Myself, I thought it would matter. But I bought a quarter eagle raw about 3 years ago with a nick on the rim that didn't quite make it onto the obverse. Had it auth'ed/graded by ANACS, to my surprise they didn't note the problem at all.

19Lyds

Edge damage, IMO, comes into play if the coin had been dropped causing an indent with a corresponding "bulge" on the coins rim.

Hairlines and scratches pertaining exclusively to the actual edge (such as reeded edge) have little if any bearing on assigned grade at all. Unless of course, a reeded edge for a gold piece has been completely sheared off in which case the coin would be damaged and ungradeable. I would imagine flatspots on reeded edges would affect the gradeability of the coin as well.

Focal attention on this "third side" to a coin is overplayed IMO with the exception of damage which affects the obverse or reverse rims. However, mu opinion won't really matter to someone thats super picky.

greghansen

It matters alot more to me now than it used to. I didn't used to get too carried away about slight rim dings. Now I hate them with a passion. I can say for certainty that the first think I mentally scan on a raw coin is the edge & rims. On slabbed coins, it isn't the first thing I look at, but it gets looked out, at least to the extent that the holder permits.

Kove

On every coin I've seen with edge dings, there are also enough marks on the obverse or reverse that determine the grade. The edge is of much less importance in grading than the obverse or reverse. However, the edge's importance is greater when authenticating a coin.

The edge is also one place you can sometimes see if a silver coin has been dipped. There will occasionally be two dark areas in the reeding where someone held the coin while dipping it. The rest of the reeds and coin will be white.

Sonorandesertrat

One unfortunate edge bump could easily render a coin 'Genuine'

PerryHall

Any coin that's an MS70 candidate probably gets its edge and rim carefully scrutinized. Not so much so on lower grade coins where graders are mostly looking for rim filing to repair a rim bruse and edge damage from the coin being dropped and evidence of solder or tooling from a mount being removed from use in jewelry (especially on small gold coins).

fivecents

PCGS grades the coin's edge when grading for the MS/PR70 grade.

SUMORADA

In 2007.........none!....My apoligies, I could not help myself.

coingirl64

I found a 1980 penny with a reeded rim . Can anyone tell me how this happened . I have been collecting coins for 50+ yrs and have never seen one like this before . Will try to send pics , Thank You , Sharon .

coingirl64

Greenstang

Coingirl64
You should really start your post instead of piggybacking on a post that is over 13 years old.
As far as you coin goes, all I see is a 1980 cent that has been attacked by acid. Can you provide
a photo of the edge.

jmlanzaf

@coingirl64 said:

Looks like someone messing around with it. They are too uneven to have been struck that way. It would help to see the edge.

Steven59

Wow! A soon to be 14 year old thread to be resurrected from the past! All righty now.

Steven59

Weigh the coin - looks to be damaged from acid exposure!

pocketpiececommems

The condition of the edge makes a big difference if you are collecting lowball Presidential dollars. The MM wears off pretty quick compared to the rest of the coin

Cougar1978

Big time.

My worry is how un sellable the coin would be.

PeakRarities

The edge is the least of your worries with that thing,,,