Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;kanga, post: 882800, member: 9270&quot;]Yes, I know. When you select an issue you wish to collect you should do some indepth studying before you put serious money into the coins.</p><p>But as a type set collector that is not an option for me.</p><p>So along with other things I depend upon grading guides.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I just received my copy of <i>Grading Coins by Photographs</i> by Q. David Bowers.</p><p>After a quick look I see several disappointments:</p><p><br /></p><p>1. The images are too small (that was someone else&#039;s opinion also).</p><p>I guess the intend was to show the coin as you would see it in-hand with just your eyes.</p><p>I would have preferred something at about 3x magnification.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. The images aren&#039;t particularly sharp.</p><p>I see that a a combination of the small size and the printing method (half tone screens I believe its called).</p><p><br /></p><p>3. The verbal descriptions are no better than the ANA guide.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>~~~~~~~~~~</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;d rate the Bowers book at best third behind these:</p><p><br /></p><p>#1 - <i>Making the Grade</i> from <i>Coin Values</i></p><p>Good - Images at about 1½-2x</p><p>Bad - Book covers only 25 of the most popular issues.</p><p><br /></p><p>#2 - ANA Grading Guide</p><p>1-1½x images</p><p>As close to the &quot;standard&quot; as currently exists.</p><p><br /></p><p>No opinion on <i>Photograde</i> since my copy is from the mid-70&#039;s (I hope they&#039;ve improved it since then).</p><p><br /></p><p>I always considered Brown &amp; Dunn as only marginally useful.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in