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Can you really tell a modern MS/PR69 from a 70??

I would argue yes with this supporting story.............

In 2005 I saw a chance to make some quick $$$ flipping Marine Commemoratives
I bought 300 of the uncirculated and 300 of the Proofs.

As I sold them on Ebay I would scan the coins always setting the best to the side until at the end all I had left was 36 of the uncirculated and 22 of the proof which appeared to have a shot at a '70'.

These were in my mind 'pick of the litter' so to speak.
Now this was based on my opinion in regard to obs/rev exam.
I did not check edges which is where many coins lose their shot at a 70.

Marine population numbers show only 198 of 3162 submitted uncirculated coins graded MS70.....6.2%
and only 124 of 3408 submitted proof coins graded PR70................3.6%

As June 30th was the cutoff for bulk submissions from collector club members I dusted these off and away they went.

Of the 36 uncirculated examples 12 graded MS70 or 33.3%
Of the 22 proof examples............. 6 graded PR70 or 27.3%

Proof positive that a careful exam can tell a 69 from a 70???
No but it appears to at least help..........

Edited to add that most of those 69s would earn a CAC sticker!

Comments

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's not difficult but it does require some experience for most collectors. In some
    cases there is actually a finer line and narrower grades in coins at this level but
    even this doesn't always apply.

    I sure couldn't spot much difference even between the best and worst proofs un-
    til I had looked at quite a few of them.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    I'm batting around 80% and have gone through thousands of Silver and Gold eagles in the last few years.

    Too much work so I don't do it anymore, I leave it up to WonderCoin. image
  • claychaserclaychaser Posts: 4,406 ✭✭✭✭
    One for one on the MS-70 on this submit:

    Order #20201654 / Submission #3853748
    Line # Item # Cert # PCGS No. CoinDate Denomination Variety Country Grade
    1 1 12104071 394416 2008-P $1 Bald Eagle US MS70 Bingo!
    2 1 12104072 4279 1832 H10C US Questionable Color
    3 1 12104073 6092 1809 50C US VF35
    4 1 12104074 6163 1833 50C US VF30
    5 1 12104075 6294 1858-O 50C US PO01 My 1st! Take that, TrainNut!
    6 1 12104076 9318 1925 50C Lexington US MS65 ANACS 64 crackout $
    7 1 12104077 7146 1883-O $1 US MS62 Except for the 95-S, a bunch of VAM stuff
    8 1 12104078 7166 1886 $1 US MS65
    9 1 12104079 7166 1886 $1 US MS64
    10 1 12104080 7172 1887 $1 US Cleaned
    11 1 12104081 7238 1895-S $1 US VG10
    12 1 12104082 7154 1884-O $1 US Cleaned
    13 1 12104083 7298 1921-D $1 US MS61
    14 1 12104084 7298 1921-D $1 US MS63
    15 1 12104085 7298 1921-D $1 US AU58
    16 1 12104086 7298 1921-D $1 US MS62
    17 1 12104087 7300 1921-S $1 US AU50
    17 2 12104088 7300 1921-S $1 US Cleaned
    17 3 12104089 7300 1921-S $1 US XF45

    Total Items: 19

    Date Received: 6/2/2008

    Date Shipped: N/A

    Order Status: Shipped

    Here's a pic that's really big!

    image


    ==Looking for pre WW2 Commems in PCGS Rattler holders, 1851-O Three Cent Silvers in all grades



    Successful, problem free and pleasant transactions with: illini420, coinguy1, weather11am,wayneherndon,wondercoin,Topdollarpaid,Julian, bishdigg,seateddime, peicesofme,ajia,CoinRaritiesOnline,savoyspecial,Boom, TorinoCobra71, ModernCoinMart, WTCG, slinc, Patches, Gerard, pocketpiececommems, BigJohnD, RickMilauskas, mirabella, Smittys, LeeG, TomB, DeusExMachina, tydye
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,258 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>1 1 12104071 394416 2008-P $1 Bald Eagle US MS70 >>

    What's with the dot of a mark on the 2 in 2008? There is also a mark just south of the middle point in the upright of F in OF.
  • claychaserclaychaser Posts: 4,406 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>1 1 12104071 394416 2008-P $1 Bald Eagle US MS70 >>

    What's with the dot of a mark on the 2 in 2008? There is also a mark just south of the middle point in the upright of F in OF. >>



    I just started a thread on this - please post your comment there. This may be interesting...


    ==Looking for pre WW2 Commems in PCGS Rattler holders, 1851-O Three Cent Silvers in all grades



    Successful, problem free and pleasant transactions with: illini420, coinguy1, weather11am,wayneherndon,wondercoin,Topdollarpaid,Julian, bishdigg,seateddime, peicesofme,ajia,CoinRaritiesOnline,savoyspecial,Boom, TorinoCobra71, ModernCoinMart, WTCG, slinc, Patches, Gerard, pocketpiececommems, BigJohnD, RickMilauskas, mirabella, Smittys, LeeG, TomB, DeusExMachina, tydye
  • Aegis3Aegis3 Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭
    "70" Is the "First Strike" of numerical grading.
    --

    Ed. S.

    (EJS)
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Proof positive that a careful exam can tell a 69 from a 70???
    No but it appears to at least help..........


    I agree that a careful eye can separate the nicer coins from the group in general. Whether they merit 69's or 70's is another story.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • sfs2002usasfs2002usa Posts: 931 ✭✭✭
    I've used a 10X microscope to visually scan coins while tilting. One can easily tell!
    On encapsulated coins it's harder to tell since I don't want to remove the coin
    from its case.
  • 2manycoins2fewfunds2manycoins2fewfunds Posts: 3,039 ✭✭✭
    I'm sure not removing the coins from their cases lowered my average.

    A lot of coins miss out on a '70' because of flaws on edge which is almost impossible to examine through mint capsules.
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,627 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I can tell the difference by looking in my wallet.

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