What ever happened to computer grading?

stevereecy · June 29, 2011 3:00AM

Just curious. Are they still trying to do that, or was it a failed experiment?

LindeDad · June 29, 2011 3:32AM

Think it went to secure+.

123cents · June 29, 2011 3:35AM

Compugrade tried it but were not successful because of inconstant grading. Probably could work today with at least modern coins.

rhedden · June 29, 2011 4:03AM

Did any compugrade holders ever get issued by PCGS? That was a long time ago.

Frankcoins · June 29, 2011 4:08AM

Actually it was too repeatable. Same grade every time, no incentive to crack out and resubmit.

messydesk · June 29, 2011 4:11AM

PCGS had "The Expert" to assist in grading about the same time CompuGrade had their 15 minutes of fame, but abandoned it. 20 years later, the computer is being used for less subjective things, where the technology excels (SecurePlus, Sniffer) and nicely supplements human grading.

stealer · June 29, 2011 4:13AM

<< Actually it was too repeatable. Same grade every time, no incentive to crack out and resubmit. >>

So it was too accurate and the TPGs were worried that their market would die?

tahoe98 · June 29, 2011 4:31AM

...it WILL be back. only a matter of time.

BAJJERFAN · June 29, 2011 4:38AM

<< 

<< Actually it was too repeatable. Same grade every time, no incentive to crack out and resubmit. >>

So it was too accurate and the TPGs were worried that their market would die? >>

I think they were more worried that the Chinese would hack into it!!!

Higashiyama · June 29, 2011 4:39AM

Wouldn't that be a great senior project or master's thesis for a talented computer science/engineering major? Do it for a single series. One particularly interesting aspect, especially for an earlier series, would be developing an algorithm to distinguish soft strikes from wear.

PerryHall · June 29, 2011 4:46AM

<< Actually it was too repeatable. Same grade every time, no incentive to crack out and resubmit. >>

Agree. Also, they were concerned too many professional coin graders would have to be laid off.

LeeBone · June 29, 2011 5:49AM

<< 

<< Actually it was too repeatable. Same grade every time, no incentive to crack out and resubmit. >>

So it was too accurate and the TPGs were worried that their market would die? >>

That was my first thought too

messydesk · June 29, 2011 6:00AM

<< Actually it was too repeatable. Same grade every time, no incentive to crack out and resubmit. >>

Even so, repeatable results don't matter if they aren't meaningful.

19Lyds · June 29, 2011 9:36AM

The real problem with "computer grading" is there is no accounting for "market acceptibility".

Measuring luster or depth of luster is difficult to do.

Measuring toning can't be defined amongst people much less breaking it down into an algorithm for a mchine to use.

I think that those folks that want/wish that this would come about would be disappointed as what is referred to as a "technical grade" (i.e. number of hits and design clarity) do not encompass all that has to do with a coins grade.

Bear · June 29, 2011 9:56AM

When machines replace all of the skilled and talented people in the world,

It will be a world that I no longer wish to be a part of. Machines do not possess

emotions, intuition, intangible subjectivity, remorse as well as the all important

attribute ,of the love of the human heart. Machines are faster, smarter, stronger,

but not necessarily better, then a human being.

leothelyon · June 29, 2011 2:55PM

<< Just curious. Are they still trying to do that, or was it a failed experiment? >>

Works fine for me! Use it everyday! Same camera, lighting, the coin is much larger, I can compare coins side by side all day.

Leo

chumley · June 29, 2011 3:38PM

think my college Spanish teacher used computer grading back in the 1970s....didn't work out too well for me.......no hablo espangol.gringo

ricko · June 29, 2011 11:21PM

It can be done, with the proper programming...... will it assess tarnish? Luster?.... to some extent. However, as we know - 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'... in other words, not everyone likes the same thing. So, technical points, strike, marks etc can be assessed and graded...eye appeal must be left to the individual/human grader. Not everyone likes roses... some prefer wildflowers.

Cheers, RickO

ColoradoCoinGuy · June 30, 2011 12:26AM

Actually there is a new company that is starting up that will be
doing computer grading. I ran into the person involved with
this at the EAC convention in Portland. His name is Robin Sisler,
a former employee of the ANA, and he has a web site. I don't
have his card with me, its at home, so I can't put up the web
address, but many of the features process and equipement
sounded pretty interesting. He said something about each
slab having an RFID imbeded into it.
I will update tonight with the web info.

Frankcoins · July 4, 2011 4:29AM

Here is something from Funding Universe written in 2001

In 1990, PCGS changed the industry again, introducing the ultimate grader: a computer called The Expert that was used in tandem with human graders. The Expert used a camera system to "see" each coin as a whole and to scan and scrutinize its surface section by section, noting flaws, nicks, and other signs of wear. It also looked at "light flow," or "reflective analysis," to measure the coin's depth of mirror and luster and its overall "mood." In all, the computer made about 2.2 billion calculations per coin before completing its "digital fingerprint"--storing its data on an optical disk for later use in tracking in the event it was lost or stolen.