Results: February Grading Contest
Thank you to all of our participants in our inaugural Monthly Grading Contest!
Of course we realize grading based on images (even images of the high-quality our DLRC team achieves) is not ideal and nothing beats seeing the coin in hand. That being said this is purely for fun and we were thoroughly impressed with the scores achieved by all our our contestants!
The winner for February is Cliff C. with an impressive score of 18.5 out of a possible 24 points. They achieved eight grades exactly right! Cliff has won a brand new 2025 Silver Eagle CACG MS70.
Shutout to our top five participants:
Cliff C.
Jon S.
Sam S.
Seth H.
Fred T.
We hope you enjoyed this challenge and check back each month for a chance to test your coin grading skills against other collectors and win the top prize. Our March Contest will be live shortly with a dozen brand new coins so stay tuned! In the meantime see the reveal of February's grades below.
1. 1793 Wreath 1c PCGS VF20 (Vine/Bars)
An impressive EAC survivor with a nice planchet, this midgrade piece didn't trip up many of our participants!
2. 1871 1c NGC MS66 RB
An ideal mix of red and brown blends over this superb gem! Remember going forward to include your color designation for copper grading to earn full points.
3. 1913-S 5C CACG MS65 (Type 2)
A prime example where being able to see the coin would have made all the difference, we probably had our widest range of guesses on this coin. The satin-like luster just doesn't come through fully in the image and while Buffalo Nickels often show weakness in strike, this gem is all there!
4. 1809 10C PCGS VG08
A popular and difficult to locate first year of issue Capped Bust dime, this evenly worn survivor was guessed within a point by the majority of you!
5. 1811 50c NGC/CAC AU55 (Small 8)
My personal favorite coin of the group: The bold detail, pleasing color and clean fields of this original AU resulted in more than a few Mint State guesses.
6. 1883 50c PCGS Proof 64 DCAM
Frosty devices stand out in bold contrast on this blazing white proof. Be sure going forward to use the PR abbreviation for coins you believe are proof and include CAM or DCAM when applicable.
7. 1799 $1 PCGS/CAC XF45
The CAC approval clued guessers in that this piece was original and high-end for the assigned grade.
8. 1903-S $1 PCGS XF40
A spot on XF representative - nearly all our contests were awarded points for this one!
9. 1909-D $5 PCGS MS64
Another relatively easy one, most all of our guessers got this this coin was uncirculated.
10. 1886 $10 NGC MS60
Highly lustrous and awarded an odd grade for its chattery surfaces. I thought this one would be tough but five of our participates got it spot on!
11. 1914-S $20 PCGS MS65
Though somewhat muted in color, the frosty surfaces and sharp strike clued guessers in on this gem.
12. 1934 Texas 50c PCGS MS67
Please email me at julia.smith@davidlawrence.com with any feedback our questions and thank you again for participating!