AU-58 Versus MS-63

MadMonk · November 25, 2003 3:43AM

How often do you think the grading services get that one right. Especially with some dates that are notorious for weaker strikes, like say a 1908 No Motto Half Eagle (one of my favorites). Sometimes I really wonder if they really know all that "stuff". At the pace that the graders must work, I feel that these two possibly have a higher chance of error.

fivecents · November 25, 2003 5:03AM

<< How often do you think the grading services get that one right. >>

MadMonk.... AU58-MS62 is the easiest area for the graders to misgrade.imo

coinguy1 · November 25, 2003 5:10AM

Sometimes the AU58-MS62 range is the toughest to pinpoint accurately.

When / if I ever get a hold of images that I think might help, I will post them. Please don't anyone hold your breath, though.

Actually, on second thought, there are a few of you who should hold your breath - I will PM you.

MadMarty · November 25, 2003 5:11AM

MadMonk submits it, MS63
MadMarty submits it, AU58

Simple!

MadMonk · November 25, 2003 6:39AM

MadMarty,
Now thats funny!

You have hit a couple of major homeruns lately. I think you are too hard on yourself.

nwcs · November 25, 2003 6:46AM

They get them right far more often than I do.

darktone · November 25, 2003 9:25AM

<< Especially with some dates that are notorious for weaker strikes, like say a 1908 No Motto Half Eagle (one of my favorites). >>

Madmonk you must mean an eagle?( $10) If you mean the $10 indian motto or no motto they can be hard to distinguish from AU58- MS63 if you don't know what the grading services are looking for. Now if you meant the $5 liberty those are very easy to tell the difference on. mike

paigowjohnny · November 25, 2003 9:28AM

<< MadMonk submits it, MS63 >>

<< MadMarty submits it, AU58 >>

Paigowjohnny submits it, BB for cleaning

jom · November 25, 2003 11:40AM

<< Madmonk you must mean an eagle?( $10) If you mean the $10 indian motto or no motto >>

Given the context he probably meant the 08-P Quarter Eagle which has a weak die on the shoulder of the eagle. This is the same place wear begins to show. That makes if very difficult to grade.

Buffalo nickels on the other hand are much easier because most of the time the strike problems are in a different place than where the rub begins to show.

jom

darktone · November 25, 2003 11:44AM

jom, I was going by the "no Motto" part of the description. mike

Baley · November 25, 2003 5:56PM

Nothing better than an MS63 coin in an old AU58 holder

Higashiyama · November 25, 2003 9:27PM

One of my favorite conversation pieces is a dual-graded bust dime -- it is in an ANACS MS62 slab, but came back from PCGS with AU58 handwritten on it, after failing to cross.

MadMonk · November 26, 2003 12:32AM

Darktone is right...I flubbered. It's a 10.00 eagle. I think it's ms62-63. No rubs or anything. I looked at it with every available loupe, microscope, etc. I think I'm correct on the grade, in this case.

jom · November 26, 2003 12:40AM

Gold, in general, isn't easy to detect wear but the $10 Eagle is far easier than the incuse designs. Too bad I can't show you in person where to look for the rub on the $10. Once you see it then it's easy but often the coin will still be in a MS holder. You also have to remember to look for "circulation" marks or lacking that look for hairlines. Seems that hairlining, from wiping the coin or whatever, is a common attribute for the services to go AU with the coin.

jom

AU-58 Versus MS-63

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