New member and question on points 0

[drsparky]

Hi

This is just a quick 'hello' from South Africa.  I mostly collect South African Union coins (1923-1960), but I am a tiny, tiny fish in this big pond.  I just discovered the registry and like-minded people.  It's not always easy to discovery fellow coin collectors without attending shows, so it's nice to find this forum.

I added my coins to the registry, but the scoring is somewhat difficult to understand.  For example, my 1926 tickey (MS63) has a score of 1,223, while my 1951 half penny (MS 63 RD) has a score of 24.  Oddly enough the half penny is worth more in my opinion as it's the only one of two graded red, 2nd finest known.  The tickey, although   a beautiful coin is only 4th finest known (population 96).  I assume the colour variety (and population count for the colour) is not taken into consideration?

Great to be here,

Thanks.

Jaco

EDIT: PS, Apologies, I think I posted this at the wrong place...

Edited September 10, 2020 by drsparky

[Ali E.]

Hello, Jaco. 

Welcome! Population is one of many factors taken into consideratIon when scoring a coin in the NGC Registry. 

Here is a brief description of how our scoring algorithm, designed by our senior numismatic team, works:

We place a score value on each coin that is based on the relative rarity of its type, date and grade. This value takes many factors into account such as grade, population, market value, eye appeal and expert opinion. When a set is ranked in the registry, its rank is judged based on the total of the individual scores of all the coins. 

As a basic guide to our system, collectors can look to the market as an excellent method of comparing the relative rarity of one coin to another. There is simply no better indicator of how much a coin is desired. There is, however, no one perfect source that accounts for all the elements needed to be considered when ranking sets in the Registry. Comparative values of coins in the market can appear distorted (especially at the top end). On the other hand, the grades alone are a poor indicator of how much "finer" a coin is because the grade does not reflect the rarity of a coin. Through extensive market research, we are able to provide a ranking system that recognizes the intelligence of the market but offers a more true reflection of relative rarity than does market value, because it appropriately adjusts for market distortions.

Please let us know when we may assist next.