What kind of resume does it take to get hired as a coin grader at a major cert service? No, I’m not contemplating a career move as I’m pretty sure even after 45ish years as a collector, I’m under qualified. Just curious. Who do they hire? Is there training? Do you start with Zincolns and work your way up through 1982 Washington 250th proof halves and on up the ladder to Gobrecht patterns? I don’t believe I’ve ever read anything about this. Just a random loose brain cell firing tonight instead of planning my next purchase. Rick L.
Why, coin school of course. I would ask more experienced ones to step in. Did you do any online research? I'm sure there's something out there, no? Found this...Numismatic Diploma Program : American Numismatic Association How to Become Professional Coin Grader Complete Career Guide
I guess I've never given it any thought either, nor have I read anything about how graders are chosen. A person needs to see thousands of coins, so dealers I think would have the experience. I read that companies have an internal "set" of sorts to go by and since coin photography is big, I would think graders have a way to compare raw coins with already graded ones. I am normally a decent grader, though I struggle with some "details" designations and I've been collecting for about 25 years.
I had an acquaintance that used to be a grader for a major TPG, then quit and became a part-time dealer. He may be passed by now, since this was 10 or more years ago when I last saw him. He said that the graders spend no more than 15 seconds on a coin, with most of that on the obverse. Then it passes to the next person.
Many graders have experience in the hobby - most of them started off as dealers. There are some well known specialists that consult as well. I've heard that junior graders tend to get moderns, eagles, commems, etc. You have to build your cred before your getting 1794 dollars.
I know I'd be too slow for them. I also know I'd go stir crazy in that job. So it would not be for me. I am also odd in that I don't care for grading in a dark room with an intense light in front of me. I've spent too much time grading at home in a lit room or on the bourse floor. The atmosphere which the big auction companies provide at the major shows would give me a headache if I did it for a long time.
