Proof coins can't usually be graded in a meaningful fashion based on images. That's especially true in the case of a one point variance. While the bottom coin APPEARS to be nicer, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it graded lower.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@BIGDAVE said:
Mark Look at the Fore head just into the Hair on the the light coin
I see it. Like it or not, technical perfection isn't required for a grade of 70 and that might not have been there when the coin was graded. Look at the apparent stain-like toning on the reverse device of the other coin - that could take it out of the 70 category.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
What !!!!!!!!!! what about the Sheldon scale , all coins are a 70 subtract for hits, one hit -1 two hits -2 and on and on , or is there a new way of grading , Toning is not suppose to be A factor in Grading
@BIGDAVE said:
What !!!!!!!!!! what about the Sheldon scale , all coins are a 70 subtract for hits, one hit -1 two hits -2 and on and on , or is there a new way of grading , Toning is not suppose to be A factor in Grading
Toning is part of eye appeal and it definitely plays a part in grading for many coins.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@BIGDAVE said:
What !!!!!!!!!! what about the Sheldon scale , all coins are a 70 subtract for hits, one hit -1 two hits -2 and on and on , or is there a new way of grading , Toning is not suppose to be A factor in Grading
What about the Sheldon scale? Technical grading, even in its heyday, still made allowances for eye appeal. Market grading has been the norm for decades now. It’s part grading and part appraisal. Besides, I don’t think anyone can come up with even a technical grading scheme that everyone would agree upon that isn’t so complex no one would use it.
Recently, PCGS has been favoring the lighter Jeffersons. So would guess that the light one is the 70. But I have to admit that I can not tell the difference between a strong 69 and a 70. Personally, I like the toned Jeffs but are are very difficult to find.
Collector of Modern Silver Proofs 1950-1964 -- PCGS Registry as Elite Cameo
My guess is the light one is the 70, the dark one the 69.....Though I would think the light/dark difference is lighting/angle related...?? Cheers, RickO
@ricko said:
My guess is the light one is the 70, the dark one the 69.....Though I would think the light/dark difference is lighting/angle related...?? Cheers, RickO
Yes, the lighting angle is what's changing the appearance. It's one reason this comparison is meaningless--you can't possibly make an apples to apples comparison when the photos are completely different styles.
I do know a little about Jefferson Proofs I have The #7 set
Dave, at one time I took part in the Set Registry with Jefferson Nickels, 1938-Date Proofs with Major Varieties. my set actually reached number four and presented me with a conundrum: how can I advance my rank without buying Proof 70 coins??
this may seem like a strange problem. at the time, I could have purchased most of the PR70DCam's from around 1976-2014 for the same price as buying a single 1950's era Deep Cameo, something like a 1952 PR67DC. the former would have garnered me perhaps enough points to be close to number two, the latter would have added perhaps 1-2 points to my set!!! it was at that time I had the veil removed from across my face.
in short, if being number one is important, buy a boatload of coins that add to your score. if actually improving your set is important, buy coins you need or improve what you have. the coins you have discussed in the two threads seem like fine coins, why get all knotted up because others that look the same have been graded higher??
Keets
I already have all my 1976-2020 are all proof 70 dcam .
I have made 60% of all my Varieties , I have had as much as 2 point up grade on a 1938, 5 with 1 point , and 3 with a 1/2 point
I am very carful what I send in , I compare to what pcgs already grades,
this was my 1st invoice I got no upgrades , except one variety
I asked them to Hold the order , for Review, and I was ignored till 5 min ago ,
now they want me to send them back for Review
$531 I spent , now I have to spend another $500 because they would not hold them
@BIGDAVE said:
Keets
I already have all my 1976-2020 are all proof 70 dcam .
I have made 60% of all my Varieties , I have had as much as 2 point up grade on a 1938, 5 with 1 point , and 3 with a 1/2 point
I am very carful what I send in , I compare to what pcgs already grades,
this was my 1st invoice I got no upgrades , except one variety
I asked them to Hold the order , for Review, and I was ignored till 5 min ago ,
now they want me to send them back for Review
$531 I spent , now I have to spend another $500 because they would not hold them
Were you originally asking for and expecting a free review?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Mark
Yes before they shipped the coins I asked them to hold them for Review , but they shipped them , and just answered me today , to send them back but now I have to pay again
Comments
Light 69, dark 70?
Those are nice.
Thank you
I need about 15 more people to Grade them and DAVID HALL
David Hall doesn't work for PCGS anymore!
Sunshine Rare Coins
sunshinecoins.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
who is in Charge ?? I thought David owned it
You are a couple of years late to the party.
Proof coins can't usually be graded in a meaningful fashion based on images. That's especially true in the case of a one point variance. While the bottom coin APPEARS to be nicer, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it graded lower.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Mark Look at the Fore head just into the Hair on the the light coin
Light 69 dark 70
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/showcase/6602
Here is a close up

Ok So who is President ??
I see it. Like it or not, technical perfection isn't required for a grade of 70 and that might not have been there when the coin was graded. Look at the apparent stain-like toning on the reverse device of the other coin - that could take it out of the 70 category.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
What !!!!!!!!!! what about the Sheldon scale , all coins are a 70 subtract for hits, one hit -1 two hits -2 and on and on , or is there a new way of grading , Toning is not suppose to be A factor in Grading
WHO’S IN CHARGE AROUND THIS PLACE? BIG DAVE HAS A PROBLEM!
Mark
" Like it or not, technical perfection isn't required for a grade of 70 "
That is NGC way of Grading that is why 60% of NGC coins wont cross
PCGS has always Been Different ,
Toning is part of eye appeal and it definitely plays a part in grading for many coins.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Ok mark look at my other coin posted
What about the Sheldon scale? Technical grading, even in its heyday, still made allowances for eye appeal. Market grading has been the norm for decades now. It’s part grading and part appraisal. Besides, I don’t think anyone can come up with even a technical grading scheme that everyone would agree upon that isn’t so complex no one would use it.
I do know a little about Jefferson Proofs I have The #7 set
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/jefferson-nickels-specialty-sets/jefferson-nickels-complete-variety-set-proof-1938-present/publishedset/220953
I would guess that the first coin is the 69 and second is the 70, but it seems like you are upset so I'll guess that the second coin is yours and a 69
Collector, occasional seller
Uh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Trump.
bob
PS: Welcome back, haven't seen ya in a long, long while!
Bob
Thank you
Had a couple of Heart attacks in the last 15 Years , had to concentrate on life
before I could play with my coins again
David
I think the reason is would be Top pop and they only give those grades to the Big Guys, would make it a $1500 coin
I'm guessing a $1k+ variety attribution gets a little more scrutiny than the $30-$60 common that you are comparing it to. Right or wrong... who knows.
Can I take a second to say how amazing I think this trueview looks?

OK now back on topic.
Collector, occasional seller
Yes it is a FS-101 , But that should not matter on the Grade
I can’t help you with your question based on images, but welcome back coin brother.
Recently, PCGS has been favoring the lighter Jeffersons. So would guess that the light one is the 70. But I have to admit that I can not tell the difference between a strong 69 and a 70. Personally, I like the toned Jeffs but are are very difficult to find.
Link to 1950 - 1964 Proof Registry Set
1938 - 1964 Proof Jeffersons w/ Varieties
My guess is the light one is the 70, the dark one the 69.....Though I would think the light/dark difference is lighting/angle related...?? Cheers, RickO
Yes, the lighting angle is what's changing the appearance. It's one reason this comparison is meaningless--you can't possibly make an apples to apples comparison when the photos are completely different styles.
It is so difficult to nitpick photos but it becomes impossible when the photos are shot in completely opposite styles.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
I do know a little about Jefferson Proofs I have The #7 set
Dave, at one time I took part in the Set Registry with Jefferson Nickels, 1938-Date Proofs with Major Varieties. my set actually reached number four and presented me with a conundrum: how can I advance my rank without buying Proof 70 coins??
this may seem like a strange problem. at the time, I could have purchased most of the PR70DCam's from around 1976-2014 for the same price as buying a single 1950's era Deep Cameo, something like a 1952 PR67DC. the former would have garnered me perhaps enough points to be close to number two, the latter would have added perhaps 1-2 points to my set!!! it was at that time I had the veil removed from across my face.
in short, if being number one is important, buy a boatload of coins that add to your score. if actually improving your set is important, buy coins you need or improve what you have. the coins you have discussed in the two threads seem like fine coins, why get all knotted up because others that look the same have been graded higher??
Keets
I already have all my 1976-2020 are all proof 70 dcam .
I have made 60% of all my Varieties , I have had as much as 2 point up grade on a 1938, 5 with 1 point , and 3 with a 1/2 point
I am very carful what I send in , I compare to what pcgs already grades,
this was my 1st invoice I got no upgrades , except one variety
I asked them to Hold the order , for Review, and I was ignored till 5 min ago ,
now they want me to send them back for Review
$531 I spent , now I have to spend another $500 because they would not hold them
my last order with the coins above

Were you originally asking for and expecting a free review?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
On this order all varieties, the 1st 1938 +2 points the other 1938 +1/2 point
Mark
Yes before they shipped the coins I asked them to hold them for Review , but they shipped them , and just answered me today , to send them back but now I have to pay again
I have had to have a few orders reviewed, They graded one of my 1938 a 403 took me a week and a lot of pictures but they finally changed it to a 402
They always are fast and nice , except on this last order , I was ignored