Is "+" really "-"?

messydesk

When I was doing the PCGS grading challenege at FUN, the instructions indicated there could be a few "+" graded coins in the box. My method for determining which these were was to assign a + to the 3 or 4 coins I thought about longest (ineffective strategy in this case, BTW). I was discussing how to pick out the "plus coins" with someone later that day and came to the conclusion that a coin that is, a 65+, for example, is one that looks like a 66 at first glance, but then you see something holding it back upon further review and then decide it's not as nice of a coin you thought at first. I suppose that's just another way of thinking of it, and maybe it's a glass half-empty or half-full thing. If the grade were 66- instead, however, I guess that would imply a low-end or generally undesirable coin, perhaps less attractive than a 65+. Analysis paralysis?

mozeppa

okay ....waiting.

messydesk

Original message edited to include what I wanted to type before posting the thread.

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TwoSides2aCoin

Grading is subjective. Finding the high end MS 66 still makes it a 66. The only thing left to determine beyond that is if it's a "plus" to you. Would love to take that challenge. How did it go, John ?

golfer72

I wish they looked at the coin for minutes! More like 7 seconds actually. The whole grading contest though fun is really nonsensical. PCGS gives different grades all the time to the same coin so it is really all dart throwing when you get down to it right?

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TwoSides2aCoin

AL... that plus, I think is designed to identify the highest end coin in the spectrum of the assigned numeric grade. From my understanding, it's like a 66.8 or something. BS ? I don't know about that. It's just too technical for most of us.

messydesk

I think what I'm really wondering (although not terribly hard) is whether 65+ more often means high end 65 (looks like a 65 at first glance, then you think that is a really choice 65) or low end 66 (looks like a 66 at first glance, then you see something holding it back). What do you see when you look at a plus-graded coin?

The effect of a '66-' grade would probably kill the coin's marketability, even if it meant the same thing as a 65+.

I'll start another thread about the grading challenge.

golfer72

<< <i>I think what I'm really wondering (although not terribly hard) is whether 65+ more often means high end 65 (looks like a 65 at first glance, then you think that is a really choice 65) or low end 66 (looks like a 66 at first glance, then you see something holding it back). What do you see when you look at a plus-graded coin?

The effect of a '66-' grade would probably kill the coin's marketability, even if it meant the same thing as a 65+.

I'll start another thread about the grading challenge. >>

Me thinks you think too much. How is plus grading valid when they are not consistent even on one grade increments? This question is directed at you messydesk.

bosco5041

They use to joke several years ago about someday grading to the tenth of a point such as MS 63.5 or MS65.2 , I think we have arrived at that day. One dealer grades circulated coins by the point at present such as VF 22 or EF 48 or whatever. Maybe the 100 point grading system is also getting closer at hand.

messydesk

<< <i>Me thinks you think too much. How is plus grading valid when they are not consistent even on one grade increments? This question is directed at you messydesk. >>


I think you're right, hence the "analysis paralysis" bit in my first post. Disregarding any inconsistency, plus-grading would be a perfectly valid way to split hairs by objectively assigning + to the top of the range at each grade. In an environment where graders are consistently inconsistent by one grade increment, attempting to assign a plus meaningfully is like attempting to make someone a better marksman exclusively by reducing the size of their target. I honestly don't believe graders are consistently inconsistent, however. Nobody rants about "lock" coins being assigned the correct grade.