Grading Proof Coins
 of 4-17-04 004.jpg)
UtahCoin
Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭✭✭
We all have our strengths and weaknesses in grading coins. With MS Morgan Dollars I've always been pretty good, nailing about 90%. Other classic (as opposed to modern) series in circulated grades I've always been pretty right on.
My Achilles Heel is without a doubt modern (1950-1964) proof coins. I have submitted coins hoping they wouldn't Body Bag thinking best case scenario PR63, and they come back PR65 & 66. Others that I thought were a lock 66, shot at 67, come back as 64's.
The coins I'm most concerned about are 1950-1955 1¢ through 50¢. I have examples of all in grades 64-68, and I still have problems. So what has the most weight in grading these? Hairlines? More so on some dates than others? Boldness of strike? Other considerations?
I would certainly be interested in opinions.
Thanks!
My Achilles Heel is without a doubt modern (1950-1964) proof coins. I have submitted coins hoping they wouldn't Body Bag thinking best case scenario PR63, and they come back PR65 & 66. Others that I thought were a lock 66, shot at 67, come back as 64's.
The coins I'm most concerned about are 1950-1955 1¢ through 50¢. I have examples of all in grades 64-68, and I still have problems. So what has the most weight in grading these? Hairlines? More so on some dates than others? Boldness of strike? Other considerations?
I would certainly be interested in opinions.
Thanks!
I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
0
Comments
_____ There is a reason why I don't collect proofs and somebody else has it too.
Where the dart lands.
The reason I think grades can be all over the place though is that so little time is spent with grading each coin and you really have to tilt proofs a TON in the light to really see everything that might be going on. That takes more time. If not enough time is spent to see everything, there is a chance something might end up in a higher graded holder. I have seen this happen more often with proofs than with business strikes since it is much easier to see everything on a business strike. My opinion, based on my limited experience.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
great mirrors will loft a proof into lofty land
are there ripples in it or bumps or does it look flat
are the mirrors scratch free...any strike throughs in them...any polish lines disturbing what should be a flat mirror
did the alloy mix right under them and they're pure black or is there discolored mint bloom under the surface
even-ness of the patina...how balanced is the overall look
is it spotchy?...does it have spots?
if it has color...does the color transition smoothly or sporadic looking to choppy
if cameo...how even looking is the frost....how bold is the frost contrast
those are the factors i've been seeing that come into play
bottom line is...how easy on the eyes is it
does it all look like it flows together nicely
and yes
where the dart lands can be appropriate too
grading is like a 3 point window
a 65 can be.....66 on a good day or 64 on a bad day
so 66,65 and 64 are all within a 3 point window there
quality of the mirrors has the most weight
great mirrors will loft a proof into lofty land
are there ripples in it or bumps or does it look flat
are the mirrors scratch free...any strike throughs in them...any polish lines disturbing what should be a flat mirror
did the alloy mix right under them and they're pure black or is there discolored mint bloom under the surface
even-ness of the patina...how balanced is the overall look
is it spotchy?...does it have spots?
if it has color...does the color transition smoothly or sporadic looking to choppy
if cameo...how even looking is the frost....how bold is the frost contrast
those are the factors i've been seeing that come into play
bottom line is...how easy on the eyes is it
does it all look like it flows together nicely
and yes
where the dart lands can be appropriate too
grading is like a 3 point window
a 65 can be.....66 on a good day or 64 on a bad day
so 66,65 and 64 are all within a 3 point window there
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"