Coin surface quality evaluation
HJP
Posts: 423 ✭✭✭
Coin surface quality evaluation
First, let’s consider the following points:
Grading of coins is subjective.
Subjectivity of most coin grading elements can be defined and categorized.
Relevant criteria (ie.the Sheldon scale and the current standards by which the TPG’s assign grades to coins) are available.
These data points - some well defined and categorized, and some less so - can be digitized and the data encoded to become algorithms which can be used to assist with the “grading” of coins.
We can critically evaluate the surface quality of a coin using modern digital image processing technologies- to an extreme degree of accuracy.
This data can be used to evaluate & compare the surface of any coin and establish a very definitive technical description of any defects or surface anomalies we program it to detect.
This technology is currently being used to examine optical components and microelectronics. It is being adapted for new tasks...
Flushing out the key terms, descriptors and criterion for how these “elements of detail” (ie. Bias) impact a coins grade is perhaps the key issue to unraveling the subjectivity aspects of coin grading.
Next, how can we use the digital image of a coin to assign a “grade”.
- what’s needed in the description we use as a “grade”?
- Is “MS69” enough of a descriptor to convey the true descriptive grade of all coins that meet a basic Sheldon numeric standard?
Comments
If the standards are made with measurable criteria, and input into an AI system, it is definitely achievable. Such systems for other products (such as microelectronics as mentioned) are already in use... and the issues are far more stringent than the surface of a coin. It merely takes the time and investment to establish the system. And it must eliminate the 'eye appeal' category, since that is personal to the appraiser. Cheers, RickO
How would it differentiate a cleaned coin from a coin which has circulated only slightly? How about weak strike vs wear vs polished?
@FranklinHalfAddict....It is all in the defined parameters programmed into the AI system....If microelectronics can be inspected, a coin's surface is comparatively simple. Cheers, RickO
Very easily as each of the things you mention look completely different. I suggest you find a knowledgeable collector to help you as the characteristics you mention are very important to understand and ID.