$50 gold burnished Eagles: Why are they now graded "Specimen - 70" instead of their former "MS-70"?
apollo14
Posts: 146 ✭✭✭
Why the change in grading designation from "MS-70" to "Specimen-70" for burnished gold eagles? This seems to have occurred in just the last year or two.
Thanks!
David
0
Comments
Why are they called "specimen?" IS someone trying to hype the "value" by calling them something perceived as special?
Because they are struck on special burnished blanks?
If you understand what is coming, then you can duck. If not, then you get sucker-punched. - Martin Armstrong
They did the same things with the EU sets
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
From the PCGS Website on grading standards.........................no modern definition out there?
I mean, SMS coins are SP as well. Seems like sort of a catch-all.
Collector, occasional seller
Here is what I am referring to:
https://coins.ha.com/itm/modern-bullion-coins/us-bullion-coins/2015-w-50-one-ounce-gold-eagle-first-strike-burnished-sp70-pcgs-pcgs-population-316-ngc-census-828-/a/1258-8559.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515
Garbage. Meaningless hype to scam the foolish. (...and, they weren't made prior to 1817, like the "grading standards" state,)
Hype-a-doodle-doo..... Just one more gimmick...Much like detergents...New, Improved, New and Improved.... never ending cycle.....Cheers, RickO
:-(
Note that the Mint's description of the 2018 W version no longer mentions the word "burnished."
If you understand what is coming, then you can duck. If not, then you get sucker-punched. - Martin Armstrong
Would PCGS care to step into this discussion, and help us to understand your change in designation?
Thank you!
ttt
We need an "ask the graders" forum.
If you understand what is coming, then you can duck. If not, then you get sucker-punched. - Martin Armstrong
ttt
2008-W $5 Burnished Gold Eagle SP70
From CoinFacts, at bottom page of my coin.
Expert Comments
Jaime Hernandez
In 2008 the U.S. Mint offered three different versions of Gold Eagle coins. It offered the regular Mint State and Proof coins as it does mostly every year. However, in 2008 it also offered an Unburnished 2008-W Uncirculated Eagle for all four different denominations in the Gold Eagle series. Therefore, the Mint offered a $5, $10, $25 and $50 2008-W as well as the regular Proof and other Uncirculated non W mint mark Gold Eagles. Additionally, the Mint also offered several different 2008 Gold Buffalos. Giving collectors many different gold coins to choose from.
Due to the different gold coins being offered this year, mintages dropped for many of the gold coins including for the $5 2008-W Gold Eagles. Sales were very low for this issue that these coins have a very low mintage for the series.
Issue Date: April 01, 2012
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC FOR SALE
The above explanation/description is incorrect. The Mint did offer a Burnished 2008-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle, and "someone" promoted it that way. Burnished. That's what we bought. That was in fact the explanation of the type of finish that was given for several years.
Not Unburnished as state above.
A real explanation of the term was never detailed by the Mint, as far as I know. The grading services were all on their own and they came up with their own approaches as to the terminology. I wish we could someday get an explanation from the Mint (and/or the grading services) about where the term came from and why it keeps changing.
I knew it would happen.
Are they now slabbed in little plastic cups with lids and a place for your name?
According to APMEX:
"Numismatists use the term burnished to describe the coins’ unique finish. Burnished coins appear matte and less shiny when compared to a standard bullion coin. This is the result of polishing the blanks before they are struck. Some collectors believe burnishing adds longevity to the design."
If you understand what is coming, then you can duck. If not, then you get sucker-punched. - Martin Armstrong
Matte is the result of polishing?
"Burnish" means to polish or smooth by rubbing, especially with a polished, hard steel tool.
It does not seem to have any relationship to the appearance of coins the US Mint once called "burnished," and nothing to do with Apmex's definition.
Thanks for that definition. Makes more sense than Apmex, but that is to be expected.
....but, again, getting back to my original question, why the change from "MS" to "Specimen"? And what, exactly, does "Specimen" mean?