Serious question. Would a sov. marked uncirculated still have scratches and small marks and the odd ding from late 1800s.? Or would they be perfect.? Not officially grade but in 2x2.
UNC may have a few bag marks. I.e. they came off a conveyor belt into a big bin of other sovereigns and were picked up in a bag where they knocked against each other, but they have never been in circulation. If they were perfect they would be GEM , CHU or FDC. Gem, Choice Uncirculated or Fleur de Coin.
It is very subjective, you just have to learn to grade yourself. If you do not believe the coin is the grade the dealer says it is you just have to tell them that. If you sound like you know what you are talking about and it looks like you are likely to buy then they will probably listen, if you sound like you are just trying to get the price down and they don't think you are likely to buy it then they probably won't.
Sovereigns are graded very strictly.. each coin or each has its own set of rules.. usually depending on how frequently they turn up in higher grades.. you may get a US graded Sov with rim dents or minor scratches MS-60 or more but usually commonwealth grading means any obvious scrathes and you go automatically to aUNC Up a pic and well grade it for you.. but basically anyone can put a sov into a 2x2 lighthouse protector and mark a grade to it as they wish.. this means nothing more or less until you put faith/trust into the grader. 1for1
Thanks for all the thoughts on this question. much appreciated. Will follow this up with photo tomorrow after I get another opinion at a coin dealer. Taking into consideration that it is a subjective science grading would there be much difference in say the value of fine/ very fine and un-circulated as far as value goes in the context of a GSR swap or is there no difference just the GSR . In other words does the fact that they are classed as un-circulated make any difference in a GSR swap in the context of a swap?
GSR is just based on spot price so condition or mintage/rarity has no bearing. However... you wouldn't want to swap anything with a high premium in a GSR because you will loose some of the value. If you were swapping a high grade sov for junk silver you could probably ask for a bit more if the Sov was going to a collector but not if it was going to a stacker. Sovs are usually either collectable or bullion.
Ok JL thanks for that answer, cleared up the question nicely for me thanks. Had the feeling that's how it worked so now I learn something else. thanks.
