What does this mean ?
BobSav
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What does this designation mean ?
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Lordmarcovan, WTCG, YogiBerraFan, Phoenin21, LindeDad, Coll3ctor, blue594, robkoll, Mike Dixon, BloodMan, Flakthat and others.
Lordmarcovan, WTCG, YogiBerraFan, Phoenin21, LindeDad, Coll3ctor, blue594, robkoll, Mike Dixon, BloodMan, Flakthat and others.
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https://www.pcgs.com/grades#modal
According to PCGS, this is a type of damage. Ten categories are described. # 10 is:
"Smoothed (A coin whose surface has been disturbed in order to give it the appearance of a higher grade. This often involves the use of a rotating wire brush to remove scratches or marks and simulate luster. This treatment is commonly referred to as "whizzing.")"
IMO PCGS needs to do some rethinking on "smoothing." IMHO, based on my personal experience, part of the statement below is NONSENSE!
I'm a nobody around here who has been a collector before many at PCGS were even born. When I began my professional career, whizzing was a problem. The authenticators at ANACS actually came up with the original definition of whizzing. They enumerated the characteristics that separated whizzing from all other mechanical surface alterations. "SMOOTHING" was not even a term applied to anything having to do with numismatics. Back then, children "smoothed" their ice cream into funny shapes with a spoon!!! "Smoothing," as a term was used by collectors of ancient coins as a nice way of telling folks that the corroded or damaged surface of their coin was TOOLED to make it smooth and more attractive. I'm an advanced student of grading and I never even heard of the term until a few years ago! Apparently, it was "coined" by an auction house or a savvy ancient coin dealer. Now apparently it has creeped into the language for U.S. coins just as "cabinet friction" or" Uncirculated with rub" did decades ago.
If a TPGS wants to use the term "smoothed" incorrectly on non-ancient coins rather than use the correct terminology - either whizzed or tooled - that applies, no one can stop them but IMO, it's unfortunate. This is similar to the practice now when all the TPGS's call a coin that is harshly polished enough to lose a grade point "CLEANED!" All it does is gloss over the obvious condition. It confuses the uneducated collector and infuriates the advance numismatists who try to educate others.
@glennm posted: "According to PCGS, this is a type of damage. Ten categories are described. # 10 is:
"Smoothed (A coin whose surface has been disturbed in order to give it the appearance of a higher grade. This often involves the use of a rotating wire brush to remove scratches or marks and simulate luster. This treatment is commonly referred to as "whizzing.")"
I suggest PCGS make this change to be totally correct: "Smoothed" - A coin whose surface has been disturbed in order to give it the appearance of a higher grade.
Thank you, I'm familiar with " whizzing " but that " smoothing" really confused me.
Bob
Lordmarcovan, WTCG, YogiBerraFan, Phoenin21, LindeDad, Coll3ctor, blue594, robkoll, Mike Dixon, BloodMan, Flakthat and others.
Update: I found the word "smoothed" used in an undated auction catalogued by a noted author and professional numismatic authority on copper. He described a half cent with repairs (tooling) made to the cheek and field as "smoothed."
Color me ignorant
for not knowing when the copper collectors adopted this "weasel" terminology.