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Interesting answer from Ron Guth on Q&A forum about MS70 coins
The answer was about Silver Eagles, but I think this will be the same for all other modern coin series:
<< <i>...and they may achieve a perfect grade if they are nice enough >>
Read: IF they are NICE enough. So not perfect, but nice enough. I'm wondering what the standards would be for "nice enough"....

Dennis
PS I'm not bashing PCGS, modern collectors or slabs. Just thought it might be a new discussion point about MS70 coins....
<< <i>...and they may achieve a perfect grade if they are nice enough >>
Read: IF they are NICE enough. So not perfect, but nice enough. I'm wondering what the standards would be for "nice enough"....

Dennis
PS I'm not bashing PCGS, modern collectors or slabs. Just thought it might be a new discussion point about MS70 coins....
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<< <i>I think you're reading a little too much into his response. >>
That's the problem that scares many leaders from commenting. No matter what they say, people want to read into it and, all of a sudden, it has multiple meanings to different people
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
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<< <i>Does anyone know who first decided that MS 70 meant "perfect"? If so, do you know what he or she meant by "perfect"? >>
As struck
<< <i>
<< <i>Does anyone know who first decided that MS 70 meant "perfect"? If so, do you know what he or she meant by "perfect"? >>
As struck >>
Wow, this may be the best answer I have ever seen for a 70 grade. No kidding. Simple and to the point.
As far as answering the above question it was probably some average Joe collector that said it once and it spread like wildfire. Once it gets in your mind you kind of forget about truth of what it is supposed to be.
Sounds like some idea I had running in my head back in my alley catt'n days!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>
<< <i>Does anyone know who first decided that MS 70 meant "perfect"? If so, do you know what he or she meant by "perfect"? >>
As struck >>
There can be "Only One"...!!
<< <i>...probably some average Joe collector that said it once and it spread like wildfire. >>
I believe "perfect" came from the ANA's published discussion of grades where their description begins "70-'The Perfect Grade'," with "the perfect grade" in quotation marks, which leads me to believe that they did not intend a literal definition of the word "perfect", since it is known that perfection is but an ideal. I assume that it was simply used to describe a grade higher than any other, the top of the scale. IMO, it was a most unfortunate choice of words because many of us like to be so literal, even though it is recognized, concerning all (other) grades, that the art of grading is subjective.
<< <i>Since all the ms70 are not perfect, that is why they are thinking about the 100 point grading system to correct all their past mistakes.
No, my guess is the 100 point scale was to (1) subject the hobby to their official standard while they have the lead in order to maintain it and (2) to push lots of coins competitively back through the system for revenues. It could arguably be good business.
As for the perfect grade, perhaps in the theoretical absence of perfection 70 is a proxy for a 69*. Personally, I think the gold rush for 70 grades is pure silliness and a distraction from just collecting nice, attractive (and sometimes rare) coins.
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<< <i> MS70 = No imperfections under 5X magnification >>
In other words, PCGS isn't using "perfection" as the standard, but, rather, the absence of detectable imperfections under 5X magnification. It seems to met that's a useful paradigm.
Thanks Perry.
raz