Two Commems Guess the Grades - Just Back from PCGS. Isabella & Sesqi Gold - Grades Posted - BP H
poorguy
Posts: 4,317 ✭
Just back from PCGS, what do ya' think they gave'em?
Isabella
64
65
66
66
66
67
65
66
66
67
66
64
66
67
67
64
65
65
64
65
65
65
Average 65.5
Gold Sesqui
65
64
66
65
65
65
65
65
64
65
65
65
66
67
65
64
65
64
63
65
Average 64.9
The averages were what I thought they should be graded as well. We bought the Isabella as a PCGS MS64 and I sent it in for regrading (Should have cracked it out). It is not only an MS65, it is an exceptionally nice MS65 with smooth frosty surfaces with a bit of metal-flow in the luster (nice). The sesqui was one of a group of at least 20 that I looked through and determined to be the best of the bunch. PCGS graded it an MS65 and side by side with all the other MS65 examples in the box, it was clearly head and shoulders above the rest. The other MS65 examples showed a plethora of little contact marks and some were very lackluster. In comparison, if this coin is an MS65 by their standards, then the others should have been MS64's. This example was by far the cleanest and shows moderate luster on the obverse and strong luster on the reverse. I could easily see this coin in an MS66 holder comparatively speaking with regard to the other Sesqui's in holders out there. These are just two examples of how tough PCGS is being right now.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize what PCGS is doing. They are manipulating the demand for coins in their slabs by creating a new "era" of extremely tough grading. Someone probably said "Hey, remember when everybody wanted PCGS coins in Old Green Holders because many of them upgraded? Let's do that again!" In a couple of years or so I would expect their standards to loosen as planned which would obviously drive submissions from both dealers and collectors alike who will attempt to upgrade coins from this "era" all the while creating an insatiable demand for coins in the "Blue Label - No Series or Coin Number on Front PCGS Slabs" (Someone make a cool name for it now because I can't come up with one similar to OGH). They should have put like a triangle or something distinct on them but I suppose the new Plain-Blue holders or BP holders as a catchy moniker will have to do until someone comes up with a better nickname to hype them with.
Grades PCGS assigned:
Isabella
64
65
66
66
66
67
65
66
66
67
66
64
66
67
67
64
65
65
64
65
65
65
Average 65.5
Gold Sesqui
65
64
66
65
65
65
65
65
64
65
65
65
66
67
65
64
65
64
63
65
Average 64.9
The averages were what I thought they should be graded as well. We bought the Isabella as a PCGS MS64 and I sent it in for regrading (Should have cracked it out). It is not only an MS65, it is an exceptionally nice MS65 with smooth frosty surfaces with a bit of metal-flow in the luster (nice). The sesqui was one of a group of at least 20 that I looked through and determined to be the best of the bunch. PCGS graded it an MS65 and side by side with all the other MS65 examples in the box, it was clearly head and shoulders above the rest. The other MS65 examples showed a plethora of little contact marks and some were very lackluster. In comparison, if this coin is an MS65 by their standards, then the others should have been MS64's. This example was by far the cleanest and shows moderate luster on the obverse and strong luster on the reverse. I could easily see this coin in an MS66 holder comparatively speaking with regard to the other Sesqui's in holders out there. These are just two examples of how tough PCGS is being right now.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize what PCGS is doing. They are manipulating the demand for coins in their slabs by creating a new "era" of extremely tough grading. Someone probably said "Hey, remember when everybody wanted PCGS coins in Old Green Holders because many of them upgraded? Let's do that again!" In a couple of years or so I would expect their standards to loosen as planned which would obviously drive submissions from both dealers and collectors alike who will attempt to upgrade coins from this "era" all the while creating an insatiable demand for coins in the "Blue Label - No Series or Coin Number on Front PCGS Slabs" (Someone make a cool name for it now because I can't come up with one similar to OGH). They should have put like a triangle or something distinct on them but I suppose the new Plain-Blue holders or BP holders as a catchy moniker will have to do until someone comes up with a better nickname to hype them with.
Grades PCGS assigned:
Brandon Kelley - ANA - 972.746.9193 - http://www.bestofyesterdaycollectibles.com
0
Comments
Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
JJ
Is there a clash on the reverse of the Isi?
First I thought 64, then I thought 66, but I must admit your photos do nothing but confuse me with respect to luster....Mike
Why step over the dollar to get to the cent? Because it's a 55DDO.
If its a Die Crack and PCGS did not deduct for it I would say a 64 - If its a scratch its a BB for
damage IMHO
65
very nice. I want a Grant (it'll be my first comm).
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
64 due to strike....or is that the norm for that $2 1/2 commem..
64
What did I win?
<< <i>The Isabella.. Is that a Die Crack or a scratch on the coin or a Scratch on the holder ???
If its a Die Crack and PCGS did not deduct for it I would say a 64 - If its a scratch its a BB for
damage IMHO
No, it's on the holder. No scratches on the coin whatsoever.
I must admit your photos do nothing but confuse me with respect to luster....Mike
what is confusing? It is how the coin looks in-hand. They both exhibit very typical luster for their series. The isabella has an exceptionally strong strike. Notable weak areas are the central obverse and the line of thread going over the lady's thigh on the reverse. A typical strike would show very notable flatness (to where the thread blends into the thigh almost completely).
Well thats different
Isabella MS66 and a real looker Congrats
Gold have no clue
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
Sesqi 65 - Couple of hits on the breast and under the torch I see 2 marks?
I like both coins , but the Isabella that you used to have on your site a couple of weeks ago with the nice colors is a better fit for me.
IZZY- 67
2 1/2 Gold- 66
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
My guess is 64 on the Izzy and 65 on the Sesqui.
Terry
64 on the Sesqui.
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
Great coins.
The strike on the Issy looks great. I'll say MS65, with the hit/mark just under the "OF" on the reverse holding it back from higher.
On the gold, I don't have a clue as I've never seen one before.
Sesqui gold is harder to grade. I would guess MS63.
but it may be sharp for whats typical..
if the latter..its a 65+
Looking for alot of crap.
64
65
66
66
66
67
65
66
66
67
66
64
66
67
67
64
65
65
64
65
65
65
Average 65.5
Gold Sesqui
65
64
66
65
65
65
65
65
64
65
65
65
66
67
65
64
65
64
63
65
Average 64.9
The averages were what I thought they should be graded as well. We bought the Isabella as a PCGS MS64 and I sent it in for regrading (Should have cracked it out). It is not only an MS65, it is an exceptionally nice MS65 with smooth frosty surfaces with a bit of metal-flow in the luster (nice). The sesqui was one of a group of at least 20 that I looked through and determined to be the best of the bunch. PCGS graded it an MS65 and side by side with all the other MS65 examples in the box, it was clearly head and shoulders above the rest. The other MS65 examples showed a plethora of little contact marks and some were very lackluster. In comparison, if this coin is an MS65 by their standards, then the others should have been MS64's. This example was by far the cleanest and shows moderate luster on the obverse and strong luster on the reverse. I could easily see this coin in an MS66 holder comparatively speaking with regard to the other Sesqui's in holders out there. These are just two examples of how tough PCGS is being right now.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize what PCGS is doing. They are manipulating the demand for coins in their slabs by creating a new "era" of extremely tough grading. Someone probably said "Hey, remember when everybody wanted PCGS coins in Old Green Holders because many of them upgraded? Let's do that again!" In a couple of years or so I would expect their standards to loosen as planned which would obviously drive submissions from both dealers and collectors alike who will attempt to upgrade coins from this "era" all the while creating an insatiable demand for coins in the "Blue Label - No Series or Coin Number on Front PCGS Slabs" (Someone make a cool name for it now because I can't come up with one similar to OGH). They should have put like a triangle or something distinct on them but I suppose the new Plain-Blue holders or BP holders as a catchy moniker will have to do until someone comes up with a better nickname to hype them with.
Grades PCGS assigned:
edit-----------i went and read your above reply and have these thoughts:
the Isabella was held at MS64 due to some strike flatness and the fact that it has almost certainly been conserved, either at NCS or by an individual who has good technique. though it's clean and relatively mark free, without something to give it "pop" it's a typical, lifeless coin. most of the coins i see graded higher than MS64 either have attractive tone or that extra strong strike that translates to better detail and better luster.
the Sesqui is a coin that seems at a higher point in it's respective grade than the Isabella and i figure you might get the MS66 if you try a few times(good upside), but that would depend on how strong the luster is. i had a similar comparative buying experience when i picked up my example---there were two MS62's, two MS63's and an MS64 for me to choose from and i thought the MS62 NGC i bought was the nicest coin. i cracked it and sent it to PCGS where it holdered at MS63 and i'm not convinced it isn't a 64, but i'm satisfied with it. while it certainly has more marks which are consistent with MS63 it has great luster and the color which help the MS64 arguement.
<< <i>hey Brandon, i nailed it with the first guess so it was a very, very short contest!!!
If you want to count undergrading it by a point nailing it then yup. PCGS got it wrong as well.
<< <i>If you want to count undergrading it by a point nailing it then yup. PCGS got it wrong as well.
Maybe the forum should create its own TPG and grade by consensus.
I stick by my 66 and 65 designations. No one is getting THAT Isabella for 64 money. No way, no how.