Clarification on low coin grading

[Mat]

I never thought I would be asking questions on the grading scale after being in coins for over 15 years but I am genuinely struggling with grading some very low grade but very rare coins.

I am not sure where to draw the line between 'poor' and off the scale. Also I have forgot which grades are officially on the UK grading scale, are 'very poor' and 'very good' official grades?

Here are my thoughts on where to draw the bottom line, (I have just picked random pics off the net) please share your opinions with me:

I consider this as poor:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/128/L1458R.JPG

I would consider this rare 1854 florin as very poor:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/123/L1126R.JPG

I consider this is upgradable when there is no detail left at all other than maybe the date, much below very poor - or should it still be classed as very poor?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/very-rare-1869-penny-well-worn-but-clear-date-/180713065905?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item2a13568db1

[davidrj]

I never thought I would be asking questions on the grading scale after being in coins for over 15 years but I am genuinely struggling with grading some very low grade but very rare coins.

I am not sure where to draw the line between 'poor' and off the scale. Also I have forgot which grades are officially on the UK grading scale, are 'very poor' and 'very good' official grades?

Here are my thoughts on where to draw the bottom line, (I have just picked random pics off the net) please share your opinions with me:

I consider this as poor:

http://www.londoncoi.../128/L1458R.JPG

I would consider this rare 1854 florin as very poor:

http://www.londoncoi.../123/L1126R.JPG

I consider this is upgradable when there is no detail left at all other than maybe the date, much below very poor - or should it still be classed as very poor?:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a13568db1

I would grade the pennies as "CLEAR DATE" which is an adequate description, I can't see a date on the florin, so I'd grade that as "SCRAP"

David

[Mat]

I never thought I would be asking questions on the grading scale after being in coins for over 15 years but I am genuinely struggling with grading some very low grade but very rare coins.

I am not sure where to draw the line between 'poor' and off the scale. Also I have forgot which grades are officially on the UK grading scale, are 'very poor' and 'very good' official grades?

Here are my thoughts on where to draw the bottom line, (I have just picked random pics off the net) please share your opinions with me:

I consider this as poor:

http://www.londoncoi.../128/L1458R.JPG

I would consider this rare 1854 florin as very poor:

http://www.londoncoi.../123/L1126R.JPG

I consider this is upgradable when there is no detail left at all other than maybe the date, much below very poor - or should it still be classed as very poor?:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a13568db1

I would grade the pennies as "CLEAR DATE" which is an adequate description, I can't see a date on the florin, so I'd grade that as "SCRAP"

David

Ah sorry I forgot to link the other side of the florn...:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/123/L1126.JPG

I was trying to make the difference between both poor coins, but one with nothing but the date, and one with the date and just a fraction of detail.

[Peckris]

I never thought I would be asking questions on the grading scale after being in coins for over 15 years but I am genuinely struggling with grading some very low grade but very rare coins.

I am not sure where to draw the line between 'poor' and off the scale. Also I have forgot which grades are officially on the UK grading scale, are 'very poor' and 'very good' official grades?

Here are my thoughts on where to draw the bottom line, (I have just picked random pics off the net) please share your opinions with me:

I consider this as poor:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/128/L1458R.JPG

I would consider this rare 1854 florin as very poor:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/123/L1126R.JPG

I consider this is upgradable when there is no detail left at all other than maybe the date, much below very poor - or should it still be classed as very poor?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/very-rare-1869-penny-well-worn-but-clear-date-/180713065905?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item2a13568db1

There aren't any official numismatic grades below Fair. You can consider EVERY coin below About Fair as Poor - grading subtle distinctions of Poor is not something that any collector would be interested in.

You can add the distinction of CD (Clear Date) for rarities, e.g. bun pennies that conveniently leave their dates readable when all else is blank. Otherwise, all such coins merely have a scrap or bullion value.

[Mat]

I never thought I would be asking questions on the grading scale after being in coins for over 15 years but I am genuinely struggling with grading some very low grade but very rare coins.

I am not sure where to draw the line between 'poor' and off the scale. Also I have forgot which grades are officially on the UK grading scale, are 'very poor' and 'very good' official grades?

Here are my thoughts on where to draw the bottom line, (I have just picked random pics off the net) please share your opinions with me:

I consider this as poor:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/128/L1458R.JPG

I would consider this rare 1854 florin as very poor:

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/webcatalogue/123/L1126R.JPG

I consider this is upgradable when there is no detail left at all other than maybe the date, much below very poor - or should it still be classed as very poor?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/very-rare-1869-penny-well-worn-but-clear-date-/180713065905?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item2a13568db1

There aren't any official numismatic grades below Fair. You can consider EVERY coin below About Fair as Poor - grading subtle distinctions of Poor is not something that any collector would be interested in.

You can add the distinction of CD (Clear Date) for rarities, e.g. bun pennies that conveniently leave their dates readable when all else is blank. Otherwise, all such coins merely have a scrap or bullion value.

Thanks for clearing that up, I never knew that I always thought 'poor' had gradually become an official grade. I have a 'CD' 1823 first reverse half crown, thats about it for that level of grading.

[Peckris]

Thanks for clearing that up, I never knew that I always thought 'poor' had gradually become an official grade. I have a 'CD' 1823 first reverse half crown, thats about it for that level of grading.

It is and it isn't. It is a kind of catchall to dump all uncollectable coins into. But you will not find a description of the condition, except something vague "so worn as to be uncollectable" or something like that.

If you had an 1869 penny that was better than "CD" but worse than "About Fair", you probably would be advised to not grade it but just throw it up on eBay with pictures.

[Red Riley]

To me they are all 'clear date' - a description if not a grade which has been around since the late sixties to my certain knowledge.