Are New Orleans minted coins, in general, given one to two grade upgrades?

MrBreeze · August 25, 2006 1:37AM

For example, an O-mint with fine details gets a vf20/25 grade. Or, an O-mint with vf20 details gets a vf30. I am thinking that I am seeing just such a standard. But, I would like to hear from the more knowledgeable crowd on whether it is true or not. I have the idea, that I read somewhere, that the coin machinery was different in N.O., thus producing a softer strike. But, that may not be true.

InYHWHWeTrust · August 25, 2006 2:09AM

Greg,
In my extremely myopic experience with mid grade Barber halves, at PCGS, with an original, problem free coin, 8/12 have gotten a one increment bump, 3/12 have gotten a two increment bump, and 1/12 was my assigned grade. The 1/12 was a major Key date, where they may go more conservative for financial/buy-back considerations (?). No O - mint coins were undergraded at PCGS in my strictly objective, criterion-based opinion. So I need to adjust my grading curve upwards

Even if the strike is average or better (Reverse: no weakness on the [looking at the coin] R shield & wing area; Obverse: typical areas of weakness), doesn't seem to matter, they get a nod. ?Maybe a form of market grading. I wonder if really soft strike that the grade assigned would be lower.

So, in answer to your question, ....yes.

Don

MrBreeze · August 25, 2006 9:30PM

Thanks, Don.

Any other observations or similar experiences?

MrEureka · August 25, 2006 9:34PM

Are New Orleans minted coins, in general, given one to two grade upgrades?

Aren't all coins?

Steve27 · August 25, 2006 10:01PM

No, at least not for Morgans.

Louis · August 25, 2006 10:10PM

<< <i>No, at least not for Morgans. >>

ziggy29 · August 25, 2006 11:49PM

I've seen too many AU-58 and MS-61 1896-O and 1897-O Morgans (among others) which would be 63s or 64s if they were 1884-O or 1885-O to believe it has anything to do with the mintmark in and of itself. Common dates and coins which don't accelerate exponentially in value are often given bumps. The dates which skyrocket in value are the ones that are graded overly tight.

roadrunner · August 26, 2006 12:04AM

In seated coins in general, I see no extra bumps given to New Orleans minted coins whether circ or UNC. While you may see some weaker strikes on some O mints rarely do you get a benefit from that. Then of course there is the MS63 1842-0 SD quarter (finest graded - ex Norweb) that is an AU coin that Martin Paul somehow got into a 63 holder right after the auction. That coin recently sold for around $75,000. It might be the finest known but it is still AU.

As a rule, I see 19th century seated "O" mints graded no different than the other mints. Gold might be a very different story but I have little experience there. RYK and others may chime in.

roadrunner

Are New Orleans minted coins, in general, given one to two grade upgrades?

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