Proof Mercury grading

CarlWohlforth

I've been told my proof Mercury has some of the best fields for a proof Mercury. The coin has no toning, is well struck and is in a PCGS PR 67 holder.

I am looking at another Mercury I like better. It has cameo devices and is heavily toned. It is also in a NGC holder.

What is the highest grade PCGS will give a heavily toned proof Mercury assuming everything else is technically perfect?

What is the highest grade PCGS will give a softly struck proof Mercury assuming everything else is technically perfect?

What is the best grade a softly struck, beautifully blue toned cameo proof Mercury can hope for?

Typetone

Carl:

Despite my interest in proof Mercury Dimes, I have not handled to enough pieces to have the expertise to answer your questions accurately. Why not try Pinnacle. They have handled a number of 68s recently. Practically, PR68 is probably the cap for the series. The question is whether any of your candidates can make 68. Don't forget, if you have a real CAM, that a grade of 67CAM is as good as a 68 for registry purposes, plus it is probably as valuable.

Greg S.

CarlWohlforth

Thanks Greg.

Currently the new proof I'm looking at is in a NGC PF 67 holder. I was thinking it wouldn't get a cameo designation because there is toning and you can't see yourself in the fields because they are coated with blue toning. So I was wondering how much PCGS would knock the grade down if I tried to cross at any grade?

Sure, if I dipped the coin it might grade PCGS 67 or even 67 CAM. But if the bands are slightly soft will PCGS grade it a 67?

But I couldn't dip a close match for my 1956 Roosevelt (which is in a PF 68 Ultra Cam NGC holder). I tried crossing my Roosey and DNC. It has super, duper contrast so easily surpasses the PCGS DCAM standard. I was thinking the toning kept it from crossing. Boy I sure wish PCGS wrote up a brief paragraph of explanation on the coins that didn't cross!