Coins that are Difficult to Grade - which do you think should be on the list?

TopographicOceans

PCGS is doing a series on eight hard to grade coins

The trime is on the list, as it should be. I've seen a lot of die clashes on these and I guess that's rather common.

So which coins do you think are hardest to grade?

BustCuds

Indian Quarter and Half Eagles are a tough series.

MICHAELDIXON

Peace dollars and Standing Liberty Quarters.

JJSingleton

Originally posted by: BustCuds



Indian Quarter and Half Eagles are a tough series.

+1

JRocco

Early screw press coinage and Buffalo nickels

messydesk

I agree with trimes being hard to grade, as well as most of the others mentioned. Bar cents are also difficult, but the opportunity and need doesn't present itself often, so I'll generalize and say many colonial issues are also difficult.



I do have a major issue with the article on trimes, however, based on what I'm seeing in the pictures. I don't see any clash marks on the coins shown. Instead, I see die wear patterns that are influenced by the opposite die. This manifests itself as a fuzzy "shadow" of the design on the opposite die that grows over time, and is a phenomenon that can be seen on almost all series. The dies never have to clash for this to happen. Clash marks leave a crisp image each time the dies clash, and they fade over time.



I'm assuming the reason for these strong die wear patterns on the trimes is the planchet being so thin, that a lot of energy is able to be transmitted through it to the dies. You also see this effect a lot on half dimes. On thicker coins, like silver dollars, it still happens, but it isn't as pronounced.



If there are clash marks on the coins shown, they weren't presented well.



Edit: The second coin shown in the article is the wrong coin. If you click on it, you get an 1854 with strong clash marks.

pocketpiececommems

Circulated commemoratives

okiedude

Early copper. Our host (and other TPG's) are all over the place on these coins.

CommemKing

Indian cents

early copper

Peace dollars

Buffalo nickels

roadrunner

I can agree on the incuse gold Indians, SLQ's, Buffs, Peace dollars. For me Walkers are also difficult. Guess I never studied them hard enough.



I find trimes easy and similar to grading half dimes. Commems can be difficult for many due the numerous number of designs.

Kccoin

Buffalo nickels seem tough to grade accurately. Kudos to those who can

ProfLiz

I want to second the vote for circulated commemoratives. I have PCGS graded Connecticuts in XF40 and AU55 that have essentially identical wear patterns - and the XF40 has more eye appeal.

coinhack

$2 1/2 and $5 Indian gold. And especially in AU and higher.

Baley

draped bust half dimes

wooglout

T1 SLQs, No Drapery and/or Stars Seated Dimes and Half Dimes, Eisenhower Dollars, Indian Gold, Franklin Half Dollar Obverses (at least for me) and Early Modern Proof Coinage (60/70s and their CAM/DCAM designations)

golden

Originally posted by: BustCuds

Indian Quarter and Half Eagles are a tough series.

clarkbar04

I'm sure it is difficult to grade something that is barely visible in the first place.

DIMEMAN

Buffalo Nickels are THE hardest to grade for me.

DNADave

civil war tokens

CaptHenway

Originally posted by: BustCuds



Indian Quarter and Half Eagles are a tough series.

This^

acloco

Of somewhat modern coinage:

Buffalo nickels - in many cases, each year AND mint, are an entirely different chapter of grading.

Standing Liberty quarters - almost the same case as Buffs.

EAC - hands down. Besides tough to grade, the number of varieties can be seen as staggering.


.....and....any coin that I am trying to purchase....it seems as though the seller always believes, every coin is at least a grade, or two, higher than it actually is.