Home› World & Ancient Coins Forum

Grading South American Copper

laurentyvanlaurentyvan Posts: 4,243 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
This newp is what I'm having questions about.

I thought you graded by the Cap on this particular coin.

Am I right or wrong?

imageimage
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato

Comments

  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I thought you graded by the Cap on this particular coin.

    All coins should be graded based on the whole coin. And as for rules for grading each particular type, forget about it. Nobody can remember all of the rules, even if they existed.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • laurentyvanlaurentyvan Posts: 4,243 ✭✭✭
    All coins should be graded based on the whole coin

    Agreed, but since the Cap is the high point on the obverse and since it's lettered,
    wouldn't that be at least the 1st and most important place to start?
    One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
    is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Agreed, but since the Cap is the high point on the obverse and since it's lettered, wouldn't that be at least the 1st and most important place to start?

    Not especially. You're going to have to look at the whole coin anyway. And too great a focus on the cap could be confusing on many coins because a weak strike might be responsible for a lack of detail.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • laurentyvanlaurentyvan Posts: 4,243 ✭✭✭
    OK, I see your point.

    I argued (debated really) with the dealer on this coin
    who insisted it was XF. Based on Cap detail (regardless of other detail) I thought
    it was VF and I bought it at VF money.

    Was I right or wrong?image
    One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
    is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd call the coin 45+ if not for the reverse marks. I'd net grade it 40, but wouldn't love it at that grade.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • 1960NYGiants1960NYGiants Posts: 3,532 ✭✭✭✭
    I agree with Andy that the coin looks EF40-45 because the rims look full and the detail on the wreath is all there.

    One other point to consider for the high points on any coin when grading is strength of strike. Try grading Edward 7th Canadian 5c silvers! Notoriously weak strikes where many if not most AU - UNC pieces show little detail at the ear - beard - mustache area.
    Gene

    Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association
    Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors

    Collector of:
    Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens
    Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960
    My Ebay
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
    nice coin- look at the fields and the lustre that remains. I think that is a strong indicator that the obverse was never fully struck- a net 40 seems right

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

Sign In or Register to comment.