I'm looking for simple was to try and grade a coin. This "simple" method must be simple enough to be able to look at a thousands of coins and not spend a lifetime trying to grade them. I saw that they have a picture grading system so you can try and self grade, but they don't even list a coin above 67 on there because i'm sure it's gonna take a keen eye from that point. So my question is, Is there like a checklist or something of the sort that anyone knows about to more precisely evaluate the MS grade of a coin without sending it in the PCGS or any other certification corp that is gonna charge a rather hefty amount to look at it?
I am by no means even a junior level collector and I can say there is no "simple" or easy way to accurately grade a coin. If there was a simple way everyone would do it and there would be no disagreements and no need for the TPGs...many many hours of study of coins and applying the lessons learned is all that I offer...good luck and you will get out of the hobby what you put into it.
The ANA has a book call "ANA Grading Standards". It's a good place to start. Jason Poe (a regular poster on the site) wrote a book titled "The Art and Science of Grading Coins". Neither PCGS or NGC strictly follow the ANA grading standards. They have published their own. Grading isn't easy and takes a lot of practice. I would get the two books I listed and read them. Secondly, I'd visit the major auction houses and either browse their current auction inventory or their archives. Look at as many coins as you can. You'll see that a coin may have achieved a technically correct grade, but the eye appeal is lacking.
The more marks and abrasions, the lower the grade. Go get a few fresh rolls of newly minted coins at the bank and look closely at each coin. Now put them in a few piles, the best looking ones will be higher in grade than the worst looking ones. Less abrasions and marks will be the highest uncirculated grades, down to the most marks for ms 60 to 62.
And this OP, simply put, is why there is no simple way to grade coins, especially in the higher MS grades.
Remember when you start grading coins, always decrease your grade by two points. Your MS64 is usually only a 62 ;-)
Try and think about it like this. As a general rule, to get a Ph. D. you have spend about 18-20 years in school. But even once you've graduated and got that Ph. D. - you're still just a rank beginner in your field. You then have to spend several years actually working in your field to gain expertise - and acknowledgement of that expertise from your peers. Same thing applies to coin grading.
"simple method" I think the PCGS Photograde grading thing is your best bet; but that's probably what you are currently alluding to. https://www.pcgs.com/photograde/ As mentioned, there is so much to it that the photograde will get you part way there. But you then have to learn a lot about identifiers for cleaning and various other anomalies. You're only starting .. there is no "simple method" that will give you years and years of experience. Reminds me of the old days when there were "paper CNEs" in computer server stuff. PPL that were certified with no experience; just lab certification. There are a few ppl out there that will grade your coins for cheap or gratis. Some will then submit it to a TPG after that too. You'll have to check around for those services though. For instance Wexler does some sort of Error Coin Examination (you'll have to read the details) for a small fee.
Isn't grading and Art? It says so on the cover of that ANA book! I wonder how many conflicting opinions go in in those TPGs, because some of the graded coins look really rough for their Grade! That's just me thinking!
