How much does depth figure into TPGs evaluation of contact marks?

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Weiss
Weiss Posts: 9,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Strange, I know, but hear me out: two coins, all else equal, both with a couple of unobtrusive contact marks. Let's say coin A has four marks, typical shallow to medium depth for 63-ish coins. Coin B has three marks, but one of them is deep. Not any wider or longer, but deeper than you see a typical bag mark.

Would the TPGs flunk the coin for the depth of the mark? Which would you rather have, if you have to have one?
We are like children who look at print and see a serpent in the last letter but one, and a sword in the last.
--Severian the Lame

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  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I'd rather have the most attractive one.
    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • spy88
    spy88 Posts: 764 ✭✭
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    A mark is a mark is a mark.

    Visible without any aid in-hand and detracting, from overall appeal, the depth
    should make no difference...to the TPG or the owner. IMO
    Everything starts and everything stops at precisely the right time for precisely the right reason.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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    This content has been removed.
  • Weiss
    Weiss Posts: 9,942 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks, guys!
    We are like children who look at print and see a serpent in the last letter but one, and a sword in the last.
    --Severian the Lame
  • Elcontador
    Elcontador Posts: 7,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    From what I've seen, coins in various grades of unc will allow a certain number of more noticeable marks, and / or a larger number of less noticeabe marks. Ie., on an MS 66 SLQ, I typically see one contact mark on Miss Liberty's body or face which is immediately noticeable (though it is not hideous by any stretch of the imagination), or two more subtle contact marks in the same areas.

    I passed on a 29 S SLQ in 6 FH because it had one immediately noticeable contact mark on Miss Liberty's face and two more subtle ones on her body.

    Note - If a coin has attractive color, I've seen cases where more contact marks are allowed on its surfaces for a specific grade (in unc).
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • lkeigwin
    lkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One bad gash trumps a few bag hits. All else being equal I prefer the few hits over a major distraction.
    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • breakdown
    breakdown Posts: 2,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One of my coins is an absolute stunner for the issue -great luster, strike, But thre is a deep contact on a focal area on the obverse. Every time I pick up that coin, the first thing I look at is the contact mark. I talked myself into buying that coin and in doing so violated a Mark Feld rule for collecting that I have always appreciated: if something bothers you about a coin when you first look at the coin, don't talk yourself into buying it. The problem will likely bother you more over time.
    Bottom line: I agree with Lance.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I agree with FTB... deep scratch/gouge becomes damage = genuine... Cheers, RickO
  • tahoe98
    tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>A mark is a mark is a mark.

    Visible without any aid in-hand and detracting, from overall appeal, the depth
    should make no difference...to the TPG or the owner. IMO >>



    ...this. image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington

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