Grading game

Good morning everyone.
I seem to remember seeing a game going on in the forum a few months ago where a member with excellent knowledge would put up a photo of a coin for us less experienced folks to "grade" using our less refined eye and explaining why we graded it that way to help become better at grading. Would anyone be interested in reviving this game?

Here’s one if you guys would like to try
its a 1911 $2.5 gold piece pcgs graded


Ill give the answer on Sunday around 7 pm central time

My glaring inadequacy at grading was immediately apparent when I looked at your photos. I want to say AU 53, but I'm not sure, because I know gold scratches very easily, and I'm uncertain whether that is accounted for in the grading spectrum. All the feathers in the headdress are beautiful and full of detail, so it surely couldn't be any less, but I'm unsure if I should be grading it higher.

Quote: "Raibas"​My glaring inadequacy at grading was immediately apparent when I looked at your photos. I want to say AU 53, but I'm not sure, because I know gold scratches very easily, and I'm uncertain whether that is accounted for in the grading spectrum. All the feathers in the headdress are beautiful and full of detail, so it surely couldn't be any less, but I'm unsure if I should be grading it higher.

​Add to the fact that unlike most conventional modern coins, this one's design is incused (as in, the design itself occupys the negative, or "sunken" space as opposed to the fields), which can throw off anyone not prepared for it.

I know that since there is so much specialisation over American coins, most types have set standards by graders as to what grade it can achieve (e.g. it can't be XF if this detail isn't intact, etc.)- so I found this link that might be useful: http://coinauctionshelp.com/how_to_grade_indian_head_gold_grading_guide.html#.XQwHbZMzY6V

If you need a little help try PCGS photo grade.

https://www.pcgs.com/photograde

Send it to me so I can see it in person, then I'll be able to accurately grade it...

Quote: "redsmithstudios"​Send it to me so I can see it in person, then I'll be able to accurately grade it...
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​hmm I’ll need a $1,000,000 deposit before I do that.(not refundable)

I think it's around 48 to 50. The field have so many starches. I am not specialist in this area of coins.

Don't buy the slab, buy the coin as the saying goes. Even very detailed photos are not enough and why grading companies request you send them the coin for grading. Its virtually impossible to accurately grade a coin without holding it in your hand. Proper lighting and jewelers loupes are essential among other things. The best we can do here is a rough estimate of a grade range.

Pictures are too small and not detailed enough. Plus its an incused coin, so the detail is protected better.

I am assuming the coin is circulated and we are not grading various states of MS or UNC as the Americans love.

I can't much of a guess to say its AU or slider BU (55/58), I can see hardly any wear, but the pictures are so teensy even with the enlarge function, any real wear would be hard to see (Could be even MS).

How about a larger photo or a larger coin (Morgan, Double Eagle) or a new one for our Amerocentric friends, a coin from Europe!

Sorry for the late reply kinda forgot about this here’s the answer

Right, so mint state - a bit impossible for most of us non Americans who generally stop at UNC. Use a circulated coin next time, makes it a bit easier.

We collect coins for enjoyment, not want careers at NGC or PCGS.