VG Seated dollar definition
logger7
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In my book by Q. David Bowers, "Grading coins from photographs", it gives the definition of a VG Seated dollar as having 2 to 3 letters in "Liberty" on the shield as visible. I looked at the PCGS "photograde" and I'm not seeing the 2-3 letters visible: https://www.pcgs.com/photograde#/SeatedDol/Grades
VG8
VG10
What are graders considering specifically on the bright lines between the grades? A lot of dealers are going to use the strict definitions when buying and claim in the two examples here that they are "good" not "very good".
This is my example:
4
Comments
They must be basing it off the reverse. Here’s one I sent to ANACS a while ago that got VG10.
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maybe they feel like theres enough there to give the grade?
There is a PCGS Grading book which might have their definitions in text.
I have the "Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins, 4th Ed."
Its rules for the shield area are:
G-4: Date is weak but visible. Shield is worn smooth. Most of rim is visible.
VG-8: Entire shield is weak, and most gown details are worn smooth.
Some letters in LIBERTY are visible. Rim is complete.
F-12: Shield lines weak at center. Four letters of LIBERTY are clear.
Yeah. I would never buy or sell that as a VG. But the grading services have diluted the traditional grading standards.
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To be fair it is a little nicer in-hand, but I agree it seems a little iffy for being close to Fine.
The reverse definitely carries the grade, might be borderline-fine (photo does not do it justice) but I’m surprised the obverse didn’t make it tank! I will also say though, the eye appeal is pretty good for being a lower grade.
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Really "wasted" look for that grade.
I hate the way they grade lower grade Buff nickels also.
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By the old standards, the reverse would barely be VG. And the reverse counts for less. The standards have been diluted. I mean, that coin is a decent Good, by the original standards. And it is VGish by the TPG standards. The issue was the standards, not the coin.
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Fair enough
Really only thing I have to say in positive of the coin is that the photos don’t necessarily show all the details of the coin, especially the reverse but yeah, I mean nice as the coin is, standards aren’t the same, though how could they be? They’re (almost) never consistent!
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The date looks tooled.
I'd grade GD04 VG10 VG08 VG08
And just like that, the 4 grade system was birthed...
I actually would grade it C 6 12 4 18 D D 22
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.