Hi everyone, I've been increasingly tempted to start collecting Indian Quarter or maybe even Half Gold Eagles as a long-time fan of this series...but I'm concerned about my relative ineptitude at accurately grading these, especially among the mint state grades. I know these are traditionally challenging to grade, but does anyone have any basic tips that might be able to give a newbie a little direction - specifically distinguishing the low to mid mint states (MS61-MS64). Frankly any time I see an Indian $2.50 or $5 piece in this range I have virtually no idea where along the spectrum it grades...I've read the ANA standards and the PCGS guidelines but still have alot of difficulty here... As always any help would be much appreciated.
If you want to learn about gold coins I can think of no better place to start than here - Douglas Winter - Use the links found on the home page, read all the articles and study them. Then go here - Numismatic Resources - Again, check out every link listed under every category. You'll be amazed at what you can find if you take the time to actually look at them all. No, not all of thos elinks will be about the specific coins you ask about here. But every link will have information that will make you far more knowledgeable about coins and what you want to know.
Even the experts struggle to grade these. That said, it seems to me the grades in the 61 to 64 arena are judged mostly on remaining luster and number of hits. The real question is how to make the distinction between, for example, a puttied 64, a run of the mill 64, and a really nice 64. My advice would be to consider starting in circulated grades before moving up, and seeing at a minimum of 100 coins in a particular grade (and preferably a whole lot more) in-hand before buying one. Trying to grade these from pictures, even good pictures, is a joke. While it's relatively easy to spot a 65 or 66 from a photo, to do so on lower-grade MS coins is a crapshoot, IMO. That's why it's critical to get as many coins in-hand as you can and study them. If you can get to a large show, and inspect auction lots, you can get a virtual education in an afternoon -- please consider it if you've not already. As you might guess (and as I've posted before), I'm not a big fan of things written about on this topic (grading) -- show me coins (&grades) and tell me prices and let my own eyes decide. That's not to preclude GDJMSP's suggestion to become well-read on the topic, which I agree wholehartedly with. Lastly, I would also suggest you try and find a mentor who collects the series to help you along. I know, for me, that my numismatic education was greatly enhanced by the kind souls who have helped me along the way. Respectfully...Mike
Thanks very much to you both - excellent advice as usual. I'm already on my way...spent a couple hours today reading a number of the articles. :thumb:
