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100-point grading scale - Everyone else has a thread, so here is mine!
solid
Posts: 2,975
The current system whereby a coin is given a single number grade leaves a lot to be desired. Unless you have
a very large, world class photo, it can be really hard to determine why a particular coin is graded MS64 - it could
be due to hits or hairlines, dull luster from being dipped too many times, carbon spots hidden in the design, etc.,
or more than likely, some combination of these factors.
Change is sometimes tough, but there is no time like the present to fix problems.
I vote yes for the 100-point scale, and I'll restate my idea on how it should work:
---------------
Circulated coins keep the current scale - no need to have these regraded or learn anything new.
---------------
Uncirculated/Proof coins automatically receive 60 points, plus 1-10 additional points for each of the following:
Strike 1-10 points
Luster/Mirrors 1-10 points
Hits/Hairlines/etc 1-10 points
Original surfaces 1-10 points
----------------
These categories should be included in the grade such as MS90 (7-7-6-10).
The hits/hairlines category could roughly be scored 1-10 to todays MS61-MS70 standards.
Rewarding originality just may help to deter the current dipping/stripping insanity.
A system like this would give a better idea of what a coin will look like in hand and could help all of us
to become better graders by being able to see exactly how the coin was scored.
----------------
Ok, that's it - flame away!
Ken
a very large, world class photo, it can be really hard to determine why a particular coin is graded MS64 - it could
be due to hits or hairlines, dull luster from being dipped too many times, carbon spots hidden in the design, etc.,
or more than likely, some combination of these factors.
Change is sometimes tough, but there is no time like the present to fix problems.
I vote yes for the 100-point scale, and I'll restate my idea on how it should work:
---------------
Circulated coins keep the current scale - no need to have these regraded or learn anything new.
---------------
Uncirculated/Proof coins automatically receive 60 points, plus 1-10 additional points for each of the following:
Strike 1-10 points
Luster/Mirrors 1-10 points
Hits/Hairlines/etc 1-10 points
Original surfaces 1-10 points
----------------
These categories should be included in the grade such as MS90 (7-7-6-10).
The hits/hairlines category could roughly be scored 1-10 to todays MS61-MS70 standards.
Rewarding originality just may help to deter the current dipping/stripping insanity.
A system like this would give a better idea of what a coin will look like in hand and could help all of us
to become better graders by being able to see exactly how the coin was scored.
----------------
Ok, that's it - flame away!
Ken
0
Comments
Jerry
I would only be Pro-100 if it resulted in a better, more meaningful sytem. I would be very
opposed to simply expanding the scale just to have more uncirculated grades with coins
still being assigned a single grade number. I see no benefit at all to that - only confusion.
Ken
and some of you want to add an additional 30 points to the scale!!!
Perhaps part of the inconsistency stems from not knowing how a coin's grade was assigned?
With the current system, three 1881-S MS64 Morgans could look very different from one another - one
could have booming luster and a few marks, another could be mark-free but lusterless, while the third
could be nice but poorly struck.
Ken
I kind of like the idea of the 100 point scale. Worried about inconsistency? The natural inconsistency problem isn't as dramatic when you miss an MS90 [80-100] by one grade as when you miss an MS65 [60-70] by one grade. Anything that reduces the money between grades and rates the coins more precisely is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.
That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. Regrade & reholder MILLIONS of coins for free? Are you kidding? That is NOT going to happen.
Sunnywood
Sunnywood's Rainbow-Toned Morgans (Retired)
Sunnywood's Barber Quarters (Retired)
I think strike and die state should be listed on the slab right along with the grade-as-MS65/EDS/95 where this last number indicates the completeness of strike. The regular numerical grade would indicate luster, marks, etc. I know this would complicate things further, but it's just my opinion-nothing more.
I am STILL in favor of a 100 point system if some restraint was used by strictly ADHERING to a 5 point or 2 1/2 point gradation. I'm sure THAT is asking the impossible, tho.
No this is a very bad idea.
As for the post that started this thread, it too is unworkable. First there is a lot of subjectivity in grading. Adding this set of four point scores for strike, luster, originality and hits would only add to that. In addition the job of grading the coins would be FAR more time consuming and expensive. Finally what would be get? A list of numbers or just one big number that would keep people guessing the source of the points.
At any rate, if this place (the four criteria) goes through look for grading fees to go up to a minimum of $50 or $75 a coins if it's done right. The graders would have to put far more time an effort into it, and that would cost money.
While there is certainly an obvious difference between a 60 and a 70. The minor differences between each point are sometimes vague and always subjective. Taking the uncirculated range from 60-70 out to 60-100 seems unnecessary. Few collectors or even graders will be able to pinpoint a grade within a 40 point scale with any accuracy IMHO. Perhaps a concrete system, utilizing some scanning/computer technology could do it for the objective part of the grade. That doesn't seem likely anytime soon though.
In this case, more points = pointless. Leave the scale as is.
collections: Maryland related coins & exonumia, 7070 Type set, and Video Arcade Tokens.
The Low Budget Y2K Registry Set
<< <i>I wonder how much of this initial resistance would simply fade away if PCGS offered to regrade all existing PCGS holdered coins for free?
>>
I wouldn't be interested if they PAID me to reholder my coins.
what's this, your current mantra.....................OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOmmmmmmmmm, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOmmmmmmmmm, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOmmmmmmmmm.