Options
Question about PO-1 coins
It seems like I read somewhere that the date has to be discernible for a coin to receive a PO-1 grade. The date can either be determined by enough of it showing to know the date, or the date is known due to the coin being a one year type. If this is true, what happens (grade wise) with a coin that the date is not known?
0
Comments
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
The date can also be determined if you can attribute the die variety. I've been able to do that with early large cents. I don't know if the grading services recognize that or not. Dr. Sheldon included that as part of his grading descriptions for well worn pieces in "Penny Whimsy." He stated that a cent in "BS-1" (BS = Basal State which is his name for "Poor") did not necessarily have a readable date.
My experience with date unknown Morgans is "no service" and returned unholdered.
If the TPG can't determine the date, and the coin isn't a one year type coin, for example 1916 25c or 1921 Peace Dollar, the coin will not be encapsulated as a PO01.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
Of interest, major TPGs like PCGS do grade no-date error coins. Perhaps PO-00 could be used for unidentifiable date for non-errors?
This may be true for the top two services but at least one major TPGS uses ( ) for missing parts of the date/mint.
I've seen coins labeled:
ND
No Date
18( )-O
19(XX)
1956-( )
and others
If there is not enough left for you to determine the date or the variety, I would not grade it PR-01. I would call it not collectable, at least in the general sense when one considers date and mint mark sets.
Partial date. No grade
Lafayette Grading Set
Great example @braddick!
Agreed, this is a cool example. I don't think PCGS would have issued a grade, however, like @pocketpiececommems example, they would've no graded it. PCGS needs to be able to determine the specific Date-MM by either direct or indirect means.
If identifiable, the TPG will encapsulate the coin.... this means that they must be able to verify it through date or MM or variety.... without such determining factors, it is just a piece of metal. Cheers, RickO
PO-01 raw?......1843-0 25c large O mint mark. Nice to get nearly all of the date, with part of 3 stars showing, none more than half. Reverse has no legends left, but a full mint mark. Found this in a silver junk pile for $8 at a local B&M. These early seated coins were built to last.
I think it varies, depending on the service and coin type. But generally date needs to be identifiable.
Fan of the Oxford Comma
CCAC Representative of the General Public
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
I wonder if this "O" mint Morgan is gradeable ??? Could be an 88 o, or 83 o.


I would say "no" at PCGS.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don