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Message:: [QUOTE="chip, post: 977129, member: 19122"]I started by using my Father 1965 red book to grade, I was quickly told how out of date I was for using that, I bought coin worlds pictorial grading book, making the grade, it had some good stuff, plus some issues that will quickly become apparent to those who use it. I liked that they had color photos that illustrated the various grades of coins, BUT they do not delve into strike issues, and sometimes the coins they used do not seem to match the descriptions they give. I also got the ana Official ANA Grading standards for United States Coins. When I would play the guess the grade threads here on coin talk, when I used the redbook, I was extemely low compared to the tpg grades, when I used coin worlds book I was usually at least two or three grades lower than the tpgs, when I Used the ana standards I was usually within one or two grades, usually a little lower, but not always. I try to buy on what appeals to me, if something is marked ms-65 and I see rub, dings and evidence of dipping, I will pass on the 65 price, sometimes I will buy something that I feel is overgraded but there is something that I like that makes the purchase worthwhile, usually it is a well worn piece that I am seeing for the first time, and the price is not something that I will cry about later if I find I paid 6 bucks for a coin that is worth only three.[/QUOTE]