Hypothetical coin grading question

[Cerulean]

I ask this question not to get exact grades, nor about specific coins, but simply to learn the art, skill and finesse of coin grading.

In the domain of coin grading, which counts more... blunt damage or design weardown?

As an example... you are asked to grade two coins of the same type and variety. Coin A shows heavy design weardown. Lettering has worn down into the coin edge, reeding is nearly smooth, and it's obvious this one's been circulated for a long time. Obviously nothing to write home about here.

Coin B is in far better condition, with sharper design detail, distinct lettering, and less edge wear. However, when you set the coin down on the counter, you notice that it is bent. It won't lay flat, and even wobbles slightly from you setting it down. Upon closer inspection, you notice a major ding on the coin edge, probably resulting from the impact that bent the coin.

Which coin would you grade higher? Exhausted pocket piece Coin A, or the bent but beautiful Coin B?

 

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[stoney56]

IMO, coin B would possibly grade a bit higher. Coin A sounds like an AG grade while B could still grade Good. It's possible that it might be straightened a bit but the ding could be classified as environmental damage. JMO

 

[TheDane]

IMO, coin B would possibly grade a bit higher. Coin A sounds like an AG grade while B could still grade Good. It's possible that it might be straightened a bit but the ding could be classified as environmental damage. JMO

I´d agree on that.

Especially if it is a very old coin, they are often bent a bit !

 

[l.cutler]

Impossible to really say, but coins are often net graded for damage. Grading is done by wear, but damaged coins are net graded down a grade or two or more depending on the damage. Worn coins are usually more desirable to collectors than higher grade damaged coins.

 

[oldplacesnofinds]

Impossible to really say, but coins are often net graded for damage. Grading is done by wear, but damaged coins are net graded down a grade or two or more depending on the damage. Worn coins are usually more desirable to collectors than higher grade damaged coins.

All coins that have normal wear will always be more desired. I agree. Nobody wants to collect a coin with a big gash in it or that is bent. But some honest wear, thats fine.

 

[Cerulean]

Hmmm... conflicting opinions.

Okay, how about if you replaced "damaged/bent" with "dirty/stained"? Does corrosion or chemical blemish still trump design weardown?

 

[djui5]

Hmmm... conflicting opinions.

Okay, how about if you replaced "damaged/bent" with "dirty/stained"? Does corrosion or chemical blemish still trump design weardown?

In that case the corroded coin, depending on the corrosion/chemical blemish, will be far superior.

Here are a list of things that can kill a coins value, in order of importance.

1: cleaning
2: large marks, cuts, dents, holes, etc
3: normal wearing of the coins high points
4: corrosion of the metal. This breaks down into 2 parts
a: rotting of the metal, like old silver coins that you can barely tell what kinda coin it is
b: "rainbowing". This is a toning of the metals caused by outside influcences like oil, air, etc. These days this actually can increase the value of a coin. You'll notice this as a rainbow coloring of the coin. It's actually quite pretty.

Now, on top of all of this, the first thing graders look for are signs of a coin being dug up out of the ground. They'll usually reject a coin for grading if it's been dug out of the ground. Sometimes you can get away with it, but you gotta be crafty. I can assure you that you'll almost never get an MS grading of a coin that was found underground.

Hope that helps. There are of course varying degrees of damage. A small nic on a coin won't prevent it from getting an MS grade, assuming all other parts of the coin are in mint shape. Corrosion of the metal, in some forms, is actually a good thing. A coin with a hole punched in it, or a huge nic in the side, isn't going to grade well. You kinda "get what you can" for those types of coins, in most cases.