Grading and PCGS

[liveandievarieties]

"you would be surprised how many coins 'EITHER' grade AU 58 or MS 65"

There's a lot of truth in this for silver coins.

Copper coins tone and at least PCGS has changed how they grade AU58 Lincolns in the last couple of years due to their Everyman Registry Sets. I've submitted countless common date wheats with obvious rub on Lincoln's cheek, but with nearly full luster they always grade MS63 or MS64 RB. Another strange nitche in the market, but a common date AU58 Lincoln can fetch $80 to over $700. No joke.

[papascoins]

Didn't know that Chris. Thanks!

[BadThad]

There's a lot of truth in this for silver coins.

Copper coins tone and at least PCGS has changed how they grade AU58 Lincolns in the last couple of years due to their Everyman Registry Sets. I've submitted countless common date wheats with obvious rub on Lincoln's cheek, but with nearly full luster they always grade MS63 or MS64 RB. Another strange nitche in the market, but a common date AU58 Lincoln can fetch $80 to over $700. No joke.

Slider coins are actually a bit annoying to me. I've submitted quite a few that I thought were 100% positive MS only to have them come back AU-58. Example, tell me where the rub is on this one? I expected at least MS-63 and I was hoping for an MS-64*.

[lara4228]

In my very inexperienced eye, I don't think I would grade the MS either. If luster is a contributing factor to grading, then on your coin I don't really see the full luster I would expect from a Mint State coin. BUT it is gorgeous coin none-the-less.

Again, I'm going out on a limb because I really don't know much about grading and I'm really loving this thread. It is very informative.

[papascoins]

Wow! Badthad, I would really be dissapointed in that too!
Send it somewhere else? ANACS maybe?

[Amadauss]

Bad, here is the same coin on PCGS site in a MS63. When I look at yours compared to this, it stands out just a little bit more and maybe thus the grading. I see the jacket below the bow tie with more depth and fullness. Anyone, please chime in.

[Amadauss]

Although when I look at your reverse, it looks better then this one from PCGS

I want to hear what Roger thinks working with Wheats as much as he does.

[Maineman750]

Amadauss, it has more to do with wear than strike quality when discerning the difference between AU and MS coins.Thad is asking "where is the wear ?"

[RWBILLER]

hi
I can see maybe why its a ms63. The obverse has some imperfections on the open field at 1:00 o'clock. The reverse has the weak O in One. The best explanation, and i say this many times, for how Mint State cents are graded has to be from our own Chuck Doughtrey in his book "Looking through Lincoln Cents." Try to get it or i can copy athe page for you if Chuck ok's it. It really answered just about, if all, my questions on mint stae grading.
thx
roger

[papascoins]

Wow! That 22s jumps from $231 at MS 64 to $2,000 at MS 65!! Just looked on 'Fair Market Value' at Numismedia.com.

[jallengomez]

Thad-

That ain't right!! That coin should be in an MS holder.

Jody

[BadThad]

Thad-

That ain't right!! That coin should be in an MS holder.

Jody

Yea, LOL....I was really mad for weeks until I figured out it might actually be worth more as a 58 should I decide to sell. The "everyman" collectors are pretty serious and this coin would be a top-notch addition to such a collection.

[WaterSport]

First of all, I agree with most of the comments stated. However, if grading was done by high res pictures, all of our coins would be 1-2 grades off. Some other things graders consider...the strike for that year and the experience they have seeing thousands of examples we do not see. I am not talking 1922 D's I am talking that sweet AU 1918 S. Also as stated, the luster is more important that the loupe, which its my understanding, many graders DO NOT use loupes. Remember grading is subjective, not an exact science.

WS