Morning, I have a question for the experts. I have read PCGS's Coin Grading and Counterfeit Dectection Second Edition by Travers and Danreuther. I have also taken a quick browse through The Official American Numismati Association Grading Standards For United States Coins by K. Bressett. Well I see what they are getting at, and trying to say, but the samples are too small for me. When I look at a similar coin, honestly, I can tell an MS60, but MS61-MS65 generally all looks the same to me. Can anyone recommend a place that I can get at a reasonable cost a set of the same coin graded by PCGS, or NGC in MS60-MS65 each grade. Maybe if I can hold it in my hand.. and see their physical differences I can tell better. In the mean time, I'll just be putting everything in my collection that isn't graded as an MS63.. Blah
I "HOPE" this certified coin craze is a passing thing. I remember (honest to gosh) when I purchased my FIRST slabbed/certified coin just this past January! It was the 84-O PCGS rattler. I grew up with only the "RedBook" as a guide and then it might have been three or four years old. Poor, About Good, Good, Fine, Very Fine, Extra Fine, About Uncirculated, and Proof were the grades used. Has it ever changed since then and they aren't making (ahem, lets hope) anymore of the same coins I collected as a kid but alas it sure seems there is. More Coins, More Crooks, More Grades and we don't even use them all. Ever see an AU56 or a XF48, how about a G9? Here's a thought, how long until you can get a certified (cut PSA/DNA) autograph of FDR matched with a 1964 (PCGS) MS-64 dime. You'd be amazed at JUST how many of these potential combinations there might be out there. Bone
That isn't the way you would want to go....PCGS and NGC and any other Co. that grade coins mess up and it has happened many times that someone will get a MS61 coin and send it back in and get MS62 or such....You need to look at as many coins as you can on auctions at shows at dealers and such and that will be better than any book IMO. I go alot by how many marks and nicks are on the coin....are they on a "Hot" place....for Franklins the face and bell would be HOT on Morgan Dollars it would be face and eagle....on Barber Coinns its mostly the face....also how does the coin look....does it have lots of luster??...or does it have dark toning....dark toning can lower the grade for me but white luster and some pretty (I said it...now I can't take that back....pretty) toning might raise the grade. It takes time and I'm in no way an expert....but I have been told I've come along way in the past 5 years.....I only hope that in the next 5+ years I can learn more and help more people. Speedy
You can only get a general feel for grading by being exposed to a large number of examples in each grade. Unfortunately, that tends to highlight the subjectivity of grading. The auction archive at Heritage Auctions is an invaluable aid. They've a huge quantity of high-resolution pics of slabbed coins from the top 3 graders, and months of perusing that collection has allowed me to begin understanding the differences between MS63 and MS65, which is my primary personal goal. In addition, I use it as general a pricing guide for my own purchases. Give it a shot - free registration required.
That's a good recommendation. For coins types in which I do not have any of my own to compare to, this is about the next best thing. You also might want to try Teletrade's archives as well (again, free registration required): http://www.teletrade.com/
You might try subscribing to Coin World. They often have an article about a particular coin and they show examples of AU through MS63. They have a printed description of what each grade is supposed to consist of but the pictures help.
Also look at some better dealer sights that have large photos of the graded coins to compare, it helps. The grades as said are done by Strike, luster, Bag marks,toneing a bonus. Only a certain amount of marks for each grade is permissable in the 60 on up .
Personally, I have a big blind spot for coins in the AU to MS62 range. I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to distinguish between an AU coin and a low mint state coin in many cases. I do a little better with photos than I do with raw coins, maybe because they are larger.
When it comes to learning how to grade my recommendation is always the same - read ALL of the books and or articles you can find on the subject. Here's one that is available on-line for free - How to Grade US Coins It has some illustrations that help tell you the critical areas to check. The next thing of course is to examine as many coins in person as you possibly can. Professional graders will go through tens of thousands of coins learning their trade. But it is also extremely helpful if you can have someone who does know how to grade work with you side by side and explain the differences and why this coin grades that and that coin grades this. Studying photographs also helps - but it in no way will replace hands on experience. But as has already been mentioned there are several good sites for this. I would also try to collect as many auction catalogs as possible - they contain many high quality color pics of graded coins and are an invaluable resource. You can also access the web sites of the various auction houses. Learning to grade coins accurately and consistently isn't something the average collector can just pick up - it often takes years of study. But if you have the desire to learn and the willingness to expend the effort - you CAN do it. One last thing - post pics of your coins and ask questions. And try to keep an open mind and not be offended by the answers if they are not what you expected. If you understand a specific point or why someone thinks this coin is only XF when you think it is MS - explain what you see and ask them what they see. You'd be surprised how much you can learn by doing this.
thanks everyone.. p.s. heritage auctions is a wonderful site, even if I can't afford more than their postcard
