How much DAMAGE is needed before a coin is labeled "DAMAGED"?

ArizonaRareCoins · April 25, 2016 9:29AM

When I 1st saw the reverse of this 1909-o $5 Gold, I assumed they just missed the damage on the reverse:
1909-o $5 Gold PCGS AU-55

But, I now see this same EXACT coin now residing in an NGC AU-58 holder with still no mention of the reverse damage:
1909-o $5 Gold NGC AU-58

I can't imagine that the 2 top TPG's missed this, so, I wonder just how much damage is needed to rate a "DAMAGED" designation?

BryceM · April 25, 2016 9:37AM

That's a pretty valuable coin! I'm sure the graders didn't miss the rim bump, if that's what you're referring to. It doesn't really bother me in an AU holder, but I wouldn't want to see that much damage in anything MS63 or higher. That said, I'd find it difficult to spend that much for a coin with that particular distraction, especially if others without the problem were available.

sparky64 · April 25, 2016 9:41AM

I wonder just how much damage is needed to rate a "DAMAGED" designation?

More than that. Especially on a coin like that.

braddick · April 25, 2016 10:06AM

Gold's soft.
Give the coin a break.

LanceNewmanOCC · April 25, 2016 10:13AM

.

i'd wager it a mint error. defective planchet?

not common on gold from my experience.

.

ACop · April 25, 2016 11:15AM

Looks like it was struck into that missing chunk on the planchet.

halfhunter · April 25, 2016 3:09PM

Originally posted by: ACop

Looks like it was struck into that missing chunk on the planchet.

The "E" looks like it was struck over the damage.

HH

DollarAfterDollar · April 26, 2016 12:03AM

Then again, because the coin is an AU rather than a low mint state I'd imagine the Graders are more forgiving. They may not view that as damage but "as struck".