Making the Grade 3rd ed Has anyone used the Making the Grade guides published by coin world? The new 3rd ed just came out and I was thinking about giving it a shot.
If it is what I am thinking of they publish one monthly in their magazines. I used the one for grading MS Morgans.
It seems to be similar to the one in the monthly print edition of Coin World. Below is the only picture I could find of the inside of the book.
I like the second edition; I'd love to know whether the new edition contains enough new material to be worth the upgrade. So far, though, all I see is that they've changed the format -- it's full-height, so they can get twice as much material on a two-page spread, which could certainly make it less annoying to use. Now, if only they'd add a lay-flat binding!
I never bought the book but I read the column for years. Personally I like it. The grading standards they put forth are very similar to those used in the ANA book. I one drawback the book has is that it does not cover all coins, just the most popular coins. But apparently they are adding more coins with each subsequent edition. A good marketing strategy, but not so good for people buying the books. Of course the purpose is to sell books, not to help you.
GDJMSP, thanks for the feedback. This book would go along with the other 2 grading books I have, Photograde 18th ed. and ANA Grading Standards 6th ed. Of course PCGS Photograde is available. -jeffB The info for the new 3rd edition is as follows, it can also be viewed at the following link More Info: Coin World’s book Making the Grade is now available in an expanded, third edition. edited
That's exactly the info I was looking for -- thanks! Edit: well, it was -- I understand Doug's concern, although I have to imagine most publishers would be happy to have their marketing blurbs freely redistributed. I see that ngs428's edited post has a link to an article with the list of changes. I don't think my chances are very good for needing the early-series info, and I'm not interested in the 21st-century stuff. But I was really disappointed that the second edition left out so many gold issues, especially the quarter eagles and $3. Looks like I'll need to make more room on my bookshelf. As Doug said, this book's standards are pretty close to the ANA Grading Standards. The latter covers more series, but Making the Grade's photos are vastly superior -- larger, higher-resolution, and therefore much clearer and more useful. (I still usually end up checking against both sources, though -- since photos vary so widely, and since coins can vary significantly within a grade, the more sources, the better.)
Sorry about the editing being needed. I will know for next time! :smile Glad this is the info you were looking for Jeff!
Not Coin World. In the past I have begged and pleaded just to be able to post 1 of their pictures, or even a single paragraph from their magazine - they have always refused permission ! They are extremely particular about copyright law. And when there is a link, as there is in this case, there is no need to copy anything since all you have to do is post the link.
