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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;physics-fan3.14, post: 2340484, member: 19165&quot;]Each subsequent edition of the ANA guide codifies the gradeflation since the previous edition, and sets the new standard. Compare the 7th edition with the 1st, and it will be very clear that the standards have changed.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I actually mostly agree with everything you have written in your post. I think that may be a first <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The books provide hints and guides, the pictures illustrate the words. You have to read the words, look at the pictures, and then examine the coins. The pictures serve as a reference point. They are very useful to build a framework, fleshed out by the accompanying text. Once you have mastered the basics, applying that to a new series becomes increasingly easier - but you still have to learn the intricacies of each series. That is why, even at the TPGs, not every grader will grade every series. They specialize.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I strongly disagree. The Red Book tries to do everything, so it does nothing well. It is the most general of all &quot;references,&quot; - you really need one of the grading guides that we have mentioned previously.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Once you understand the basic terms and method for grading, you can apply that to any series from any country. Luster, strike, marks, wear... they are all still factors for world coins. The number or descriptor you apply to it might be different, but the method is the same (and is the point I have tried to make in my book).</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>True. There are many different scales in use throughout the world. The American scale is more refined (that is, has more points on it), than many foreign scales, but the method is the same. A simple comparison can be found here: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_grading#European_grading_system" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_grading#European_grading_system" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_grading#European_grading_system</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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