What is the hardest coin to grade..?

Julio · October 10, 2006 1:46PM

I dont' claim to be good at any but I am better at some and have no clue as to some. Thanks. jws

Coxe · October 10, 2006 1:47PM

Peace dollars.

edited to add>> Yes, I agree that incuse Indians are murder to grade too. No point in adding a reply to the thread.

Stuart · October 10, 2006 1:48PM

In my opinion, the incuse design 20th Century $5 & $2.50 Indian Gold Pieces designed by Bela Lyon Pratt

ccr · October 10, 2006 1:55PM

<< In my opinion, the incuse design 20th Century $5 & $2.50 Indian Gold Pieces designed by Bela Lyon Pratt >>

Those are tough.

airplanenut · October 10, 2006 1:59PM

<< In my opinion, the incuse design 20th Century $5 & $2.50 Indian Gold Pieces designed by Bela Lyon Pratt >>

That's what I was going to say. All the other coins are similar in that they rub in certain places and mark up in certain places. Sometimes you have to know intricacies (weak strikes, spots to look out for, etc.) but usually, all those coins get graded the same way. The incuse, designs, however, have different lustre, wear, contact marks, etc., and really can be confusing when you first start.

RalphE · October 10, 2006 2:01PM

Peace dollars and Franklin halves

DesertRat · October 10, 2006 2:02PM

What is the hardest coin to grade..?

the round ones

CoinMaster1229 · October 10, 2006 2:03PM

The hardest coin to grade is your OWN!!!!

coppercoins · October 10, 2006 2:13PM

Indian gold would be the best answer for the same reason that others have stated. All other coins have similar relief and are very easy to grade once the rules are learned - the indian gold follows a completely separate set of rules.

Coinhog · October 10, 2006 2:14PM

the one you cant see.

ldhair · October 10, 2006 2:15PM

For me it's any coin with dark toning.

rec78 · October 10, 2006 2:53PM

For most collectors it is the series they have the least interest in. For me it is walking liberty half dollars-i cant tell a vg from a vf.-- 3 cent silvers seem tough to grade also. Gold coins are a study in themselves as different mints and different dates could be graded differently.

lkenefic · October 10, 2006 2:55PM

There was a certain 3 cent silver a few months ago that was a real poser...I think the grade range went from VG10 to AU50...L

BlindedByEgo · October 10, 2006 3:19PM

Branch mint gold.

Bryan1315 · October 10, 2006 3:58PM

This question was asked a couple months ago and you can read everyones responces here which series is toughest to grade

123cents · October 10, 2006 4:03PM

$2.50 and $5.00 Gold Indians.

Julio · October 10, 2006 4:06PM

There are many excellent answers and also humor. While I can only speak for myself; the replies have opened my eyes to areas I have not given much thought.

So much to learn, so little time. Trust me, I need all the help I can get. Thanks for imparting your knowledge. It is appreciated.

I sincerely believe the replies have many thinking.

I get in trouble when I think. I do believe for the rest of you thinking is a good thing. You are able to think clearly and respond with knowledge. I'm learning. Thanks for the lesson. It is greatly appreciated. jws.

PerryHall · October 10, 2006 5:02PM

Southern branch mint gold due to poor strikes
Type II gold dollars due to poor strikes

Julio · October 10, 2006 5:11PM

This question was asked a couple months ago and you can read everyones responces here which series is toughest to grade

Sorry Bryan1315 I was not aware of the previous thread. My sincere apologies for being repetive. jws

Hoot · October 10, 2006 5:40PM

<< Sorry Bryan1315 I was not aware of the previous thread. My sincere apologies for being repetive. jws >>

No reason to apologize. Many threads have appeared anew with new members over time. It only goes to show that people have similar thoughts. It's also nice to have links to past threads to see how the answers may remain the same or change over time. So please, keep asking your questions, and don't be shy.

Silver dollars, particularly Morgans and Peace dollars can give me the greatest trouble - more so than incuse gold. Don't know why, but it may be interest (even though I collect Unc. Peace dollars in an album).

Hoot

Julio · October 10, 2006 5:48PM

Many threads have appeared anew with new members over time. It only goes to show that people have similar thoughts. It's also nice to have links to past threads to see how the answers may remain the same or change over time. So please, keep asking your questions, and don't be shy.

. jws

TavernTreasures · October 10, 2006 7:50PM

Nickel Beer! (those buffs are hard in more ways than one!)

dorkkarl · October 10, 2006 9:51PM

hardest to grade are connecticut coppers, hands down. just about everything else , especially federal issues, are e-z by comparison.

K S

Bobk · October 10, 2006 10:13PM

The incused gold and the older copper. Also what CoinMaster said. Bob

Barndog · October 10, 2006 10:28PM

1837 LM-3/V5 capped bust half dime. Strike issues make this a real challenge.

jmj3esq · October 10, 2006 10:32PM

Peace dollars are tough. I cant tell AU from MS65 sometimes.

Leiana · October 11, 2006 2:13AM

<< There was a certain 3 cent silver a few months ago that was a real poser...I think the grade range went from VG10 to AU50...L >>

I think I know which one you mean.

As for me, Buffalo Nickels, Three cent silvers, incuse Indian Gold and other issues with strike or die wear problems.

-Amanda

Hyperion · October 11, 2006 2:43AM

<< 

<< There was a certain 3 cent silver a few months ago that was a real poser...I think the grade range went from VG10 to AU50...L >>

I think I know which one you mean.

As for me, Buffalo Nickels, Three cent silvers, incuse Indian Gold and other issues with strike or die wear problems.

-Amanda >>

for some reason the soft edges of the buff nick and the incuse indians throw me, probably because of the unconventional designs.

Barndog · October 11, 2006 2:48AM

I don't think the incuse Indians are as tough as people make them out to be -- and I'm not a "gold guy." They are different, but not tough with just a little effort.

DeusExMachina · October 11, 2006 3:17AM

I used to think it was the Indian head quarter and half eagles.

However, after spending some time looking at branch mint gold, I have changed my mind. The 1840s-1860s branch mint liberty head quarter eagles are very tough to grade. Nearly each date and mint mark have different grading standards. Some dates are so mushy I can't believe any coin is graded MS. But that just goes to show I don't know how to properly grade them.

dorkkarl · October 11, 2006 3:18AM

seems odd to me that so many closed-collar series are being suggested as hardest to grade. open-collar strikes are MUCH more prone to erratic striking, leading to much variance in grading. plus, planchets used in early series are far more often of inconsistent quality compared to modern planchets. . . . . . .

K S

What is the hardest coin to grade..?

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