Why doesn't PCGS grade both sides of the coin?
KingOfCoins
Posts: 153
For example, XF-40/VF-20??
This seems like a logical thing to do, and would not require much additional grading time.
I have read that ANACS used to do this, but I've never seen it.
Anyways, wouldn't a split grade be much more informative of what PCGS grades the coin?
This seems like a logical thing to do, and would not require much additional grading time.
I have read that ANACS used to do this, but I've never seen it.
Anyways, wouldn't a split grade be much more informative of what PCGS grades the coin?
0
Comments
price their coins rather than know what condition they are. Such a coin will
just be net graded as a VF-20 or 25 and they can look up the value in the cat-
alogue.
I sort of like the idea; anyone who has looked at more than one Morgan dollar knows that the obverse and reverse grades can be quite different. But I know that lots of people on the boards think it is not such a good idea and that the TPG should be doing as they are now; grading to lowest grade of each side.
<< <i>Yes ANACS used to do it but now everyone net grades a coin. >>
Yep!
ACCGS grades each side seperately...
(NOT an endorsement, I've never used them)
Rex
<< <i>For example, XF-40/VF-20??
This seems like a logical thing to do, and would not require much additional grading time.
I have read that ANACS used to do this, but I've never seen it.
Anyways, wouldn't a split grade be much more informative of what PCGS grades the coin? >>
Because, for all practical purposes, they price the coins rather than grading them. Dual sided grading necessarily requires interpretation for a price. For a lot of people, a single grade means they don't have to, which frankly, is somewhat odd for everything but the most generic of generics.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
<< <i>http://www.accgs.org/
ACCGS grades each side seperately...
(NOT an endorsement, I've never used them)
Rex >>
I believe SEGS will split the grade when necessary.
Jerry
<< <i>For example, XF-40/VF-20??
This seems like a logical thing to do, and would not require much additional grading time.
I have read that ANACS used to do this, but I've never seen it.
Anyways, wouldn't a split grade be much more informative of what PCGS grades the coin? >>
As I have learned through the grapevine, a TGS will know immediately what a coin will grade from looking at the obverse. They'll glance at the reverse to see if there is anything significant that would bring the grade down. If not, than the grade of the coin is based mearly from the obverse. Otherwise, if the reverse is a solid MS67 and the obverse is a MS65, I believe you end up with a MS65 coin. So goes the split grading method, if there's nothing significant on the reverse that would affect the obverse grade who cares what it actually grades. Ultimately, this is another fine line that separates the true coin collector from the slab investor. Like yourself, it does matter what the reverse looks like. As for Jefferson nickels, if the steps were not on the reverse, the TGS wouldn't pay no attention to it.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>Also notice on the back of the certificate that IRCWcoins posted that the obv/rev opinions of all four graders are posted so you can get a pretty good idea of how the final grades were arrived at. >>
OT, but did you get the slab i sent you? Mike
Box of 20
<< <i>I like the idea of breaking down the grading similar to how BGS breaks down the grades of baseball cards. Seems like there would be less benefit to cracking and resubmitting is there was less room for error with more areas to grade >>
That would be too ingenious for any TGS to figure out. Besides, their submissions would drop and too many registry sets would collapse from the lack of gpa boosters.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
do they just end up splitting down the middle and giving it a 64 overall?
<< <i>Just as a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, a coin is no better than its worst side. They do look at both sides and give a grade based on the worst side so whats the point? Couldn't get real excited about a 1923 Peace dollar ms63 Obv ms64 Rev or even a ms65 Rev. >>
Agreed. However, there are instances where an strong for the grade obverse will "carry" a "liner" reverse (especially with Morgans).
<< <i>For example, XF-40/VF-20 >>
That's how I record the grade of coins in my personal collection, whether they are slabbed or raw.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>I've often wondered about that-- say PCGS grades 63 for the obverse and a 65 for the reverse,
do they just end up splitting down the middle and giving it a 64 overall? >>
The obverse is the more important side of the coin. The obverse sells the coin. If the obverse is sub par, and the reverse great, the reverse won't save it from being a "hard sell."
In coin grading the the usually reverse comes along for the ride UNLESS there is something seriously wrong with it. I've also noted that many coin designs come nicer on the reverse than they do the obverse. You will notice this on Morgan Dollars, but it's also true of many early coin designs. Calling a piece that is MS-63 on the obverse and MS-65 on the reverse would be a clear example of overgrading. Most collectors would much prefer a coin that grades MS-64 on both sides.
<< <i>Agreed. However, there are instances where an strong for the grade obverse will "carry" a "liner" reverse (especially with Morgans). >>
For 99+% of BU Morgans, the reverse will be better than the obverse due to the smaller surface area of and better protection afforded to the fields.
<< <i>Should they also grade the third side of the coin? >>
good question!