Very Suspect Grading By Pcgs

[Accumulator 52]

How on earth do they arrive at an MS65 BN grade for this monster! (Check out the reverse)

Edited October 20, 2013 by Accumulator

[VickySilver 830]

Yes, indeed. I think it may have been given on technical grounds - not a lot of wear. Still the surface colour is a bit objectionable. I really don't understand their grading on occasion and disagree with the main Brit grader with some frequency. On the opposite end of this coin was (and maybe I'll try to post a picture?!!) an old Spink shilling, 1849, that was given an MS62 for hairlines which were instead clearly on the die itself.

[Rob 3,152]

If you want an example of the contradictions posed by the TPGs, you need look no further than the last Goldberg sale. lot 4329 http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/lot_auc.php?site=1〈=1&sale=75&lot=4329 was slabbed MS65. The following lot was slabbed unc details and struck from the same die pair. Both had raised lines in the obverse field from die polishing, both had a couple of small digs to the obverse, the first by the mouth and cheek, the second behind the head above the ties. Otherwise they were practically identical, and there are no surface hairlines on the second coin other than the raised ones mentioned.

It is a lottery, so don't be surprised when they don't agree with your assessment. Play the game and use your free thinking to your benefit as it works all ways. The wrong (low number) label means a cheap coin. A crap coin with a big number label is still a crap coin which you wouldn't want anyway. Let the number chasers buy it as it gives you one fewer competitor on the next one.

[TomGoodheart 401]

If you want an example of the contradictions posed by the TPGs, you need look no further than the last Goldberg sale. lot 4329 http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/lot_auc.php?site=1〈=1&sale=75&lot=4329 was slabbed MS65. The following lot was slabbed unc details and struck from the same die pair. Both had raised lines in the obverse field from die polishing, both had a couple of small digs to the obverse, the first by the mouth and cheek, the second behind the head above the ties. Otherwise they were practically identical, and there are no surface hairlines on the second coin other than the raised ones mentioned.

It is a lottery, so don't be surprised when they don't agree with your assessment. Play the game and use your free thinking to your benefit as it works all ways. The wrong (low number) label means a cheap coin. A crap coin with a big number label is still a crap coin which you wouldn't want anyway. Let the number chasers buy it as it gives you one fewer competitor on the next one.

Hmm .. that's a heck of a difference in price realised!

And if any Americans are reading this, remember guys, always buy the slab, not the coin!

[Accumulator 52]

Yes, indeed. I think it may have been given on technical grounds - not a lot of wear. Still the surface colour is a bit objectionable. I really don't understand their grading on occasion and disagree with the main Brit grader with some frequency. On the opposite end of this coin was (and maybe I'll try to post a picture?!!) an old Spink shilling, 1849, that was given an MS62 for hairlines which were instead clearly on the die itself.

The reverse shows quite a lot of wear, looking at Britannia's hand or the thistle in the exergue, for example.

[VickySilver 830]

Knee, breast and shoulder not too bad though. The whole reverse looks a bit like a worn die, does not snap how one would like a really nice unc. (if brown) coin to look. I don't thinks it is a date that people could not do better elsewhere obviously. I bought a lovely 1849 from St. James's many moons ago and I think that one ended up 63RB and was definately superior.

[1949threepence 3,367]

How on earth do they arrive at an MS65 BN grade for this monster! (Check out the reverse)

It certainly doesn't look MS65 in the photo.

[MRD 6]

Im led to believe the reverse of a coin only makes up 20% of the TPG grading score.

[Paulus 1,975]

Im led to believe the reverse of a coin only makes up 20% of the TPG grading score.

Am I the only one to think that that is ridiculous? What is the argument that it should be other than 50-50?

[Peckris 579]

Im led to believe the reverse of a coin only makes up 20% of the TPG grading score.

Am I the only one to think that that is ridiculous? What is the argument that it should be other than 50-50?

Absolutely ludicrous. I've never considered one face of a coin to be more significant or important than the other. I think this must be some kind of urban myth.

[Rob 3,152]

Im led to believe the reverse of a coin only makes up 20% of the TPG grading score.

Am I the only one to think that that is ridiculous? What is the argument that it should be other than 50-50?

I'm amazed the coin contributes as much as 20% of the score, let alone the reverse only. I thought it was all to do with marks out of 10 in the Warhol-esque abstract art section. It certainly has bu**er all to do with the contents of the slab on too many occasions.

[Paulus 1,975]

Im led to believe the reverse of a coin only makes up 20% of the TPG grading score.

Am I the only one to think that that is ridiculous? What is the argument that it should be other than 50-50?

I'm amazed the coin contributes as much as 20% of the score, let alone the reverse only. I thought it was all to do with marks out of 10 in the Warhol-esque abstract art section. It certainly has bu**er all to do with the contents of the slab on too many occasions.

[TomGoodheart 401]

http://www.pcgs.com/eyeappeal.html?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=14510

[MRD 6]

Im led to believe the reverse of a coin only makes up 20% of the TPG grading score.

Am I the only one to think that that is ridiculous? What is the argument that it should be other than 50-50?

Absolutely ludicrous. I've never considered one face of a coin to be more significant or important than the other. I think this must be some kind of urban myth.

Im with you guys i think 50 50, I have been told about the 80 -20 by a dealer in Australia who only sells PCGS graded coins. And i tend to believe him, i have gold coins with a brilliant reverse and a slightly weak strike on the obverse come back as AU 55, that quickly ended my very brief experience with TPGs.

[Paulus 1,975]

http://www.pcgs.com/eyeappeal.html?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=14510

The first 2 coins in this link actually have a rainbow running through them ... am I imagining things or has this got too ridiculous for words?

[Coinery 1,153]

http://www.pcgs.com/eyeappeal.html?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=14510

The first 2 coins in this link actually have a rainbow running through them ... am I imagining things or has this got too ridiculous for words?

Utterly speechless! If enough hasn't already been said to discredit the TPGC's on this forum, it certainly is very nicely consolidated in this thread!

It's a bit like a Noel Edmond's Gottcha...I keep expecting someone to jump out and say April Fool! Someone? Anyone? I can't take this nonsense area of the coin market anymore...I'm totally incredulous!

[Paulus 1,975]

http://www.pcgs.com/eyeappeal.html?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=14510

The first 2 coins in this link actually have a rainbow running through them ... am I imagining things or has this got too ridiculous for words?

Utterly speechless! If enough hasn't already been said to discredit the TPGC's on this forum, it certainly is very nicely consolidated in this thread!

It's a bit like a Noel Edmond's Gottcha...I keep expecting someone to jump out and say April Fool! Someone? Anyone? I can't take this nonsense area of the coin market anymore...I'm totally incredulous!

I'm with you Stuart, what on earth is going on, can't even accept it as a weird marketing ploy! Totally gob-smacked by all this rainbow stuff, zip up zippy!

[Paulus 1,975]

Like my 'Emperor's new clothes' comment, when is someone going to say "hang on, this is utter nonsense!" ... for those the other side of the pond, especially those with a vested interest, probably never! Guess I only mind so much because it might make a laughing stock of our hobby, let's hope not!

[scottishmoney 35]

Admittedly it is a grade the consignor wanted, not the grade the coin actually is. Remember - it is not the coin, it is the consignor.