I currently use a Photograde book to approximate the condition of coins. I'm not selling them, by the way, just to say choose a better penny or nickel over another that I am going to put into my collection from circulation. The limitation is that the book only goes up to AU! Is there another resource out there where I can tell what exactly is looked for in higher grades? I don't need to be able tell a 64 from a 65, but I want to know what to look for. thanks again to everyone for your interesting answers.
I am pretty sure that all that info on luster, surfaces, eye appeal, and strike is covered in Scott Travers book Coin Collectors Survival Manual. You can pick up a used copy on Ebay or Amazon really cheap.
From one of the reviewer's comments at the link I just posted: "How many times have you heard a dealer say, 'shine it up and it'll be BU?' " I'm hoping I never hear that.
Grading uncirculated coins is very difficult for me. It would take really superior pictures and a good narrative to go with it for me to catch on. It's a blind spot for me, so now I only buy slabs for uncirculated coins.
How would this group advise the sale of a "Roll" of Indian Head Pennies? One at a time or the entire roll. Most are in incredibly good condition, but none are Certified.. Tnx. Smokey
The ANA has a book and video combination, Grading Mint State U.S. Coins. When it comes to proofs, every repro-graphic medium (print, books, color, computer, video ...) has problems. The only way to make it work is to show the coin as well as the medium will allow while an expert explains what you are looking at. The ANA video does just exactly that.
Are you referring to this video ? Grading Mint State U.S. Coins What you described sounded very useful, so I prowled around a bit on the ANA site, and found this DVD (also available in VHS). I wish it included circulated coins as well. Regardless, thanks for the tip.
There is a separate video and book for that, Grading U.S. Coins Today. General grading is one thing. Grading Mint state and Proof is a separate problem. One of the many reasons to join the ANA is that these courses build your knowledge. They provide a self-paced book and other materials. You teach yourself, basically, but experts review your work. Short of going to an ANA Summer Seminar, I can think of nothing better for learning how to grade correctly.
