^^^ I can believe that coin is graded as MS60... look @the reverse.... letters are sooo weak and faded... still graded as MS60... am I missing something?
As much as I like 1870 grade, must say it'll be 1860 has higher grade due to its scarcity.. don't tell me both in MS grade level
But scarcity should not affect grading... You can have a bog standard PM silver bullion 2021 kangaroo in top grade MS70. I just posted the 1870 because the design is exactly comparable to the 1860 - only the year is different. The grading should be based on the condition of the coins, right?
^^^ Totally agree @jultorsk, the scarcity or otherwise of a coin should have no bearing on the grading a coin is given. It is supposed to be about the condition of the coin only and nothing else.
Just from what I've seen I would guess graders are only shown examples of year and not type. In fairness they are pretty consistent grading StG and Shields. Type I & II though...
^^^ What grade is this one? MS62+? Note that I HV seen crappy 1860 SOV, but ended with MS... Which baffles me to some degree 1857 AU53... Seriously? Should be closer to XF I'd say...note that this is just a sample of what I'm trying to illustrate.. https://www.drakesterling.com/coins...1857-sydney-mint-sovereign-pcgs-au53-28518598
1863 MS61... seriously? CHK that observe... Cheek has total wear (&white stuff??) https://www.drakesterling.com/coins...1863-sydney-mint-sovereign-pcgs-ms61-28849158
They're both AU58. Not complaining, but might contemplate sending the 1870 to NGC in attempt to cross-over and hopefully get it "upgraded" to MS.