grading a coin

I would say this coin is a FS to EF , just need to clean the letter "I" in the word "IN". What do you guys think? I want to start grading my coins and I was wondering if I was on point.

 

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FS(full steps) is for nickels not cents as for grade clear full pictures of the obverse and reverse are needed.It's at least uncirculated and just a cent but if you want to experiment that's fine.

 

Why bother? Just move on to the next example of a coin most plentiful........

 

"I want to start grading my coins"

Are you saying you want to mark the grade on the 2x2 or you want to send it off for grading?

 

It is always better to label each coin so that you wont lose the coin itself. you can label and take photo clips for your reference.

 

Sounds good.

It may be a good reference coin for your needs but it would not be a good one to send off for grading.

 

I believe using online photo grade is the most helpful to new collectors.

 

Hey, Sorry to bother you. I was hoping to get your opinion of this coin. I was wondering if it is in very good state or better. Does the coating of the coin matters in grading? So is it always better to leave the coin as is so there wont be any damage. If you know what you are doing you can probably clean the coin. But I do have experience using acetone and salt with vinegar. HAHA. The first trail was a bad. anyways, does lamination effects the grade as well. If the coin has blisters and such?

 

"Hey, Sorry to bother you."

You are not bothering me..... you will know when you do.

"I was wondering if it is in very good state or better."

From what I can see of the coin it appears to be mint state (MS)

"Does the coating of the coin matters in grading?"

I'm not sure if you are talking about the toning/discoloration?
I'm not seeing a coating on the coin.
Toning doesn't matter when grading as long as it's not environmental damage.

"So is it always better to leave the coin as is so there wont be any damage."
"If you know what you are doing you can probably clean the coin."

It is always better to not clean your coins.
Copper coins are very reactive to cleaning and some of the hardest coins to clean.
The grading companies are very good at spotting cleaned copper.
Vinegar will change the color of the coin.

"does lamination effects the grade as well. If the coin has blisters and such?"

A lamination or plating blisters can affect the grade but in most cases it won't.
As long as a coin is still "as struck" from the mint it should grade.

The coin you are showing would not be a good coin to send in for grading.
Keep learning and reading as much as you can about the minting process.
Don't jump into the deep end of the pool before you learn to swim.

 

I do not recommend cleaning coins but if you must that would be the coin to test your skills on. Be very careful especially if you are going to grade the coins yourself! If you do not have one you should purchase The Official ANA Grading Standards book, among other reference materials. Be safe not sorry. Thanks for posting good luck.

 

Admirable that you want to learn about grading. The first step would be to get a Red Book. There is elementary information about grades (AG to MS) at the beginning of each new design. Thinking about FS (Full Steps) the designation isn't used for cents, but if it were, the ding 1/3 of the way up on your right would kill it.

 

Quick thought, @ARBIE SANTOS make sure you participate in the GTG (Guess The Grade) posts, even if you are wrong, it's good practice.

 

This is basically a spam thread. Another common coin worth face value, by a newbie, wondering if he hit the lottery.

 

Not sure why you would call it spam. He's been on here for two years and has made over 100 posts. Spammers hit-n-run

 

It is a pretty frivolous thread. Just tired of the “penny threads.”

 

Totally understandable, but it might be new to the poster...

 

thank you! I saw those dings and I was wondering how much would the grade go down? I know MS are hard to find if there are and nicks at the lillars and step with the letters as well. but thank you for replying. I just found a nice color bronze 1953s just today and there are 2 spots on the left of the Obverse. debating if i should clean it.. I mean i know its not the best condition but for my penny book will look nice

 

thanks, I really apperciate it

 

The 1953 S you found looks good, don't try and clean the small spots.

 

Keep in mind everyone here was new at some point.