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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;rlm&#039;s cents, post: 2155638, member: 7957&quot;]I have always heard 5X max to GRADE a coin.&nbsp; 10X used only for attribution etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>Found David Hall&#039;s answer;</p><p><b>Question:</b> Is a magnifying glass used on all coins by all coin graders? What magnification is used?</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Answer:</b> Magnification is used in different ways by different graders. Some graders prefer 5X, some like 8X. On a big rarity, a grader might look at the coin with both 5X and 8X. Graders do not use a glass for every coin. On large generic coins, say Morgan dollars in MS64 or MS65, it&#039;s just not necessary to use a glass. On some small coins, say Three Cent Silvers, it&#039;s impossible to grade them without magnification.</p><p><br /></p><p>Personally, I prefer -- and recommend -- 5X. If you are grading coins, I suggest you first look at the coin without magnification. Notice the luster, the surfaces, the overall eye appeal. Then look with a 5X glass. That&#039;s what I do.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>-- David Hall, Professional Coin Grading Service</b></p><p><a href="http://www.pcgs.com/ezine/2003/coins_aug26_03.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.pcgs.com/ezine/2003/coins_aug26_03.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.pcgs.com/ezine/2003/coins_aug26_03.html</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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