Not all coins start at a 70 point scale

I just got back 6 coins from NGC today--on a quick note, the $25 registered mail postage I paid NGC to return my coins took 10 days and the $8 USPS priority mail/fully insured took 2-3 days for them to receive them, go figure.

But to my point about grading, it is very complex and the more I study it-through books and hands on looking at coins and trying to figure why they were attributed the grade they were, the more I feel I may never get it--although I am good enough to be very close usually. According to ANA Grading Standards there are Four Main Considerations: 1. Contact Marks-depending on the number, the severity AND location these can really drop a coin. I have learned that a contact mark on a prime focus area like the face can be as heavily graded as 2 or 3 in the field or near a rim. 2. HAIRLINES-these can be hard to see without rotating the coin or magnification. Most are caused by mishandling, like being loose in a flip or in an album with those plastic slides. 3. Luster-original mint frost or bloom. This takes a bit of experience to recognize not only if a coin has been improperly cleaned, but as I get better I can even tell the difference in the shine of a dipped coin versus one with original mint luster. 4. Eye Appeal-one of the reasons that coin grading is an imperfect science. To one person toning is attractive, to another the whiter the better. I think this is why I am often unhappy with my grades, to me-if I bought a coin it was because I found it attractive, those grading it might not find the beauty in the same coin that I do.

NOT ALL COINS START ON THE 70 point scale !!! I was surprised to learn that strike was not one of the 4 criteria looked at for grading. Having said that, there is an unwritten rule that a weakly struck coin should never be graded above a 65. For example, many D and S mint coins from the 1920's were very weakly struck for various reasons. These weak coins could have been perfectly handled, never touched, not a ding, scratch hairline, lustrous-in other words perfectly preserved from the moment it was struck--and not grade above a 65 !! This explains the almost complete lack of 66's and above for many of these dates in the 1920's and other years.

yes, grading is complex-and all I really want is consistency. My 6 coins back from NGC today were a mixed bag. I got an MS62 on a brand new Britannia-still in its mint capsule. When I saw the grade on-line I was mad. Now when it is returned I reluctantly have to agree. The mint capsule had rubbed the cheek and jawline of the Queen on the obverse {it looks worn in that area} the reverse is perfect, however I couldn't have argued if they had graded it an AU58, wear is wear even if it was "Uncirculated". I sent in 3 proofs, taken straight from the felt boxes {never touched the coins} and got 2 68UCAM's and 1 69UCAM. I am still waiting on the day when I actually get a 70 on a submission. Considering the fact that I have sent dozens of coins straight from their unopened boxes I think that I am over-due.

I won't start this again, but if you remember about a month ago I was upset about a Roanoke half that got bodybagged for artificial toning? Well now it is graded a gem+ and slabbed in an NGC holder {they do make mistakes and if you are confident in being right-have them fix it}

The final coin baffles me, to put it simply-the coin is perfect. There is not a mark anywhere, none, zilch, zippo, nada. It is a So-called $1 released along with the 1938 Deleware Commem and Sweden also released a 1938 coin {2 kronors} with the ship Kalmar Nyckel on it. I bought this coin, perfectly preserved-with the original program from the ceremonies where the celebration was held and the coin was distributed !!! Don't think I'm greedy-the coin graded as the finest known example ever graded an MS66!!- but is there an unwritten rule that 66 is a perfect coin for this issue?..anyhow, look for yourself..I am excited to include this in my High Seas signature set. I already have the Delaware commem from the US and its Swedish counterpart, and now I finished the hat trick.