Coins with the reverse and obverse that will grade very different.
oldgoldlover
Posts: 429 ✭✭✭
I few months ago I posted a picture of a $20 1855 O graded by PCGS. The reverse shows no sign of wear and all the mint luster is intact. The obverse shows minimal at most but the coin was graded a 53. The obverse has a vast majority, over 95% of the mint luster and shows very minimal wear. What is strange is a coin that has no wear at all on the reverse winds up a 53 because of some evidence of very minor wear, probably incurred while being held in a bank. Prior to my acquiring the coin PCGS had it in a 55 slab in the mid 80s when they were tougher on grading coins. Frankly I doubt the coin was ever circulated but being in various places for 162 years has picked up some slight vault grime but I have seen unc coins with much more grime in an unc slab. The 1855 is well struck and is not at all bag marked or scratched nor does it has the planchet chips this date from New Orleans is known to have.
I posted a picture of another $20 1850 O that is a 55 but it does not have the detail and does show some minor wear on the coin. Side by each I cannot figure how the lesser coin is a 53 holder and the other a 55.
Question is has anyone ever had this experience with gold graded by PCGS? Also do you feel PCGS is tougher on the rarer coins?
Comments
Unfortunately, without having the coin in hand, it is difficult to give you an honest opinion. I can say however, that many O mint $20's in that grade range can have light hairlines that will downgrade it. These are difficult to see without proper lighting and a good glass. In general, PCGS can be tougher on rarer coins too. How did this coin go from an early generation 55 holder to a 53? Did you crack it out and resubmit it?
Yes, they are usually tougher on rare dates.
Typically the reverse of a coin can hurt the grade, but will not help it.
Pictures could help forum members to give you better information. From your description, it may be worth a reconsideration or crack and resubmit. That opinion is just from what you have told us... Cheers, RickO
Good question. I cannot figure it out. Just bought it as it is closer to a good 55 than the 1850 O AU 55 I posted. Grader are like baseball umpires in that they all have their idea of what is a strike or a ball.
Rick I will resubmit in a few years but don't plan on letting the 55 O go. Cannot find one for sale as i type and I checked all the rare gold dealers am aware of. Frankly a coin like that is bought for the coin itself and not the grade. Every knowledgeable collector I know grades it a 55. I have seen some 53 graded coin go through HA.com and I was surprised they came back slabbed as opposed to a body bag.
A agree but the reverse is a 58+ if not unc. The light rubs were incurred when stored as many of the coins were stacked as opposed to bagged. The obverse is the money side INO.
@oldgoldlover ....Yep...you know your coin best.... no rush for grading... enjoy your beautiful old gold. Cheers, RickO
Also do you feel PCGS is tougher on the rarer coins?
Yes, I have a 34-S toned Peace $ in an old rattler holder. Its well struck and full of luster. The obverse is baggy to say the least. The reverse is absolutely pristine. The reverse grades MS64/65. But the coin is only graded MS60 by PCGS due to the obverse bad marks.
If it were a common date the coin would be an MS62, but the price difference between a 60 and 62 is almost an 100% increase.