Options
Has anyone gotten a sense of what it takes to get a Plus?
dpoole
Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just wondering if any of you has run enough through our hosts to get a reasonably confident sense of what they look for to grant a plus.
0
Comments
It really depends. When a 66+ is a top pop, it's just a really, really nice 66.
When it's a mid-grade coin, it's often one that has the eye appeal of a nicer coin but is held back some technical issue that can't be ignored.
When the impact on scarcity and price aren't significant (i.e. MS 63+ common-date Morgans & Peace dollars) it might just mean three graders had a slight difference of opinion (one calls it 63, one calls it 64, the finalizer sort of likes it so hits it with 63+........ next coin up).
I once got a plus grade on a Proof 1953 Washington that I thought was a no question CAM. Came back PR66+ on an economy submission. I thought that was interesting.
Collector, occasional seller
my thought is that it takes a coin that is so nice, but cannot be graded higher...to earn a plus.
Let us know when you find out!
Insert coin to be graded in scanner.
Insert payment into machine.
Pull lever.
Hope for 3 cherries!
On a serious note...I honestly don't believe there will ever be consistency. According to this website a + grade is the top 30% for the grade.
A plus is generally awarded when you look at a coin and think "wow, this coin is all there for X, but..."
https://random.org/
why I say that: I have sent in for grading a number of half dimes in the past few years. Three came back 58+ and none of them was spectacular. None was amazing in eye appeal, luster, freedom from marks or rub, or strike. I've had many more come back 58 that were better than the three 58+ coins.
I got a 1892 PCGS Morgan dollar with a + grade 64+ nice toning, no scratches, very original toning with lustre that cartwheels looks 65. Problem is the coin has a scuff, not a scratch, a scuff in the field at 10 o'clock obv. looks like a scratch, it's not, its a scuff. I paid up for the coin. So pretty. Threw out my sheets. Goldberg auction. I just like it.
From NGC:
NGC assigns a + to coins at the high end of their assigned grade, approaching the qualify requirements for the next grade.
In addition to their superior technical merit, coins that receive a Plus (+) Designation must have above-average eye appeal. For example, a coin graded NGC MS 64+ is close to the quality of a coin graded NGC MS 65.
Not all coins are eligible for the Plus (+) Designation). Coins grading from XF 45 to MS 68 or PF 45 to PF 68 may receive a + , while lower- and higher-grade coins cannot. The is assigned when merited to United States coins from 1792 to date, excluding US bullion and modern commemorative coins, and to world coins struck prior to 1970.
Coins are automatically evaluated for + during grading. Coins must be submitted for grading to be reviewed for this designation.
Further:
NGC assigns its trademarked Star Designation to coins with exceptional eye appeal for their assigned grade.
Eye appeal is the most subjective attribute of a coin, but there are many standards shared by numismatists. Exceptional eye appeal may include attributes such as vibrant, colorful toning; intense luster; or, in the case of Proof coins, especially strong cameo contrast. To receive a *, coins must be free of any obvious planchet irregularities, and display no bothersome spots or blemishes. Toned coins can be of a single color or multicolored but cannot have any areas that are dark brown, approaching black.
It's important to remember that coins with the Star () Designation can fall anywhere within the grades to which they are assigned. For example, a coin graded NGC MS 64* could be at the lower end, mid-range or higher end of NGC MS 64.
NGC applies the * to qualifying coins in its normal course of grading. As they are already of the ultimate grade, any coin graded NGC MS 70 or NGC PF 70 will not be eligible for the *. Coins already certified by NGC can be resubmitted and reviewed for * using the Designation Review service.
--Severian the Lame
easy:
Better than anything that I have
BHNC #203
I am batting 10 out of 20 for Indian cents and 3 out of 20 for Mercury dimes. I'm looking for AU58+ grades for my Everyman's sets. Some of the ones that got the plus were not as nice as some of the others I submitted. I still can't get the feel for it.
PLUS coins are the next ones up for a full upgrade. Just give it enough time.
Sent this in thinking it would 58+ and it came back MS62. Did the same on a 31S with the same result. There is a Very Fine Line I believe.
Ken
No.
And considering the subjective nature of grading, maybe there can be a subjective discussion of the sense of what it takes to get a Plus...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Don't get too attached to what it takes to get a plus today. It could be quite different in 2-5 yrs.
I'll find out soon for Washington quarters.
I think I may try this a couple of times for a plus.
Currently PCGS MS 67, ex NGC MS67 (old holder)
I think I'm in the minority here, when I went to school I would much rather get an A- than a B+.
Yes, you are in the minority. Coins that are in favor only include C, C+, B, B+, A, A+. If only we all knew this 15-30 yrs ago!....though we'd also have to factor in 2-3 layers of gradeflation. The B- of yesterday can easily be the B+ or A of today....as long as it had eye appeal and only 1 semi-significant flow. Eye-appealing 64's of 1989 are the big winners of today.
I picked this one up from our very own @DRUNNER. Definitely better than a 65. Has great eye appeal and completely original.
The "+" grade? WHat about a whole upgrade? That's what I was trying for before this silly + came around. I got plenty of total upgrades. Do you know what that's like?
It's rigged, at least at one level.
At the AU58 grade you can submit a coin that deserves MS and ask that it top out at 58+ (for the sake of the everyman registry set). That's just wrong.
Lance.
How do you do that?
Reconsideration, plus only.
Lance.
That's weird
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I believe the + is likely one or two steps before decimal grading.... i.e. 64.7, 64.8, 64.9. The iterations of grading, along with gradeflation, and the constant search for better/higher grades, is driving the market further and further to finite evaluation. I am not sure if we will actually see decimal ( or perhaps a 100 point scale) before computer grading is perfected..... that will be the eventual evolution of coin evaluation... and the innovator that achieves it, will lead the market. Cheers, RickO