Application of the Sheldon Grading Scale

[silver1985]

I have a few questions on the application of the Sheldon Grading Scale that he whom has experience with the professional grading services may be most helpful.

First: How does a grader reconsile a grading such as: "MS66 BN" ........ ( i.e.,"having nearly full luster" and "BN" seem contradictory.)

and secondly: what type of evaluation process/equipment (?) is used by examiners to determine "absolutely no trace of wear" with reference to the coin in the attached images?

http://www.lincolncentforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101286&stc=1http://www.lincolncentforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101287&stc=1http://www.lincolncentforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101288&stc=1http://www.lincolncentforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101289&stc=1

[Maineman750]

I have a few questions on the application of the Sheldon Grading Scale that he whom has experience with the professional grading services may be most helpful.

I'm not sure how we will determine who has the most grading experienced on this forum....you might want to be a little more open to all opinions next time.

That being said, I will tell you that a brown coin can have full luster, as can any coin that has toned through the years, it really has not much to do with color.

As for equipment, I believe a 7X loupe is the standard for the top TPGs.

Wear is a little more complicated because it has to take die wear into consideration and coins such as the one shown were notorious for being struck with dies that were beyond the normal standards. But, an experienced eye has no problem determining wear on the coin itself.

[silver1985]

OK Maineman750, Thanks.
I'm trying to get up the learning curve on applying the Sheldon rating scheme, because I'm thinking that I may submit a few to a TPG in the near future; hopefully with guidance from the LCF experts.
I appreciate all the comments and advise from all the diverse experts on the LCF website, and I'm learning from all the posts, that I've been reading, that there are many tuned in here.
Also, I'm surprised at your comment that "wear" can happen from die state, and apparently, just more than what happens theoretically when the teller at Walmart breaks open a bank roll of cents and hands me one in the change. Hmm.....Interesting!
But, I'm learning, and thanks for the information.

[willbrooks]

I'm surprised at your comment that "wear" can happen from die state, and apparently, just more than what happens theoretically when the teller at Walmart breaks open a bank roll of cents and hands me one in the change. Hmm.....Interesting!


You misunderstood Roger's comment. He was saying that it is important to be able to differentiate die wear from circulation wear. At least I think that is what he was saying. :D

[Maineman750]

Will is correct...die wear should not really affect the grade.

Also, I would suggest buying a copy of ANA grading standards and some slabbed cents to use for comparison....you can get some common high grade dates by PCGS fairly cheap if you look around.

[jcuve]

What Will and Roger have stated is excellent, I'll note it is good to see slabbed coins in person - different TPGs - maybe the same year and grade. It gets tricky past MS65. Good luck!