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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,372 |
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
Good Evening, Wow it has been a while since I have been here to CCF. Although collecting is slow I was presented with a challenge, or more like strong encouragement, to learn to grade coins. As I have mentioned here numerous times I'm visually impaired and grading is a visual activity. My biggest hurdle is letting myself be afraid of the fact that because I don't have perfect vision that I won't be able to grade coins. I have seen people with worse eyesight than mine do some extraordinary visual activities, such as driving, something else I do not do but that's another story. We had a grading activity at my last coin club meeting and as people are looking at this coin and shouting out numbers that I have no idea what they mean... 58, 55, 63 I'm sitting there confused and unhappy that I couldn't participate. The club secretary and club president both encouraged me to buy The Official ANA Grading Standards of United States coins to learn about Grading. So, I looked into this book and it turns out it is narrated by one of my favorite Coin World columnists and author Q. David Bowers. I have not yet received the book but in anticipation one website I found recommended that when you grade a coin you first (mentally) put it in one of three buckets. Circulated, Uncalculated (MS,) or AU coins. That analogy works for me. The only other thing is memorizing the entire scale and what to look for in each grade... is that really necessary though? I just hope that my lack of sight doesn't means I CAN'T grade coins. I have been so afraid to try and fail that up till now I WON'T grade coins. I want to be a "great" grader but I'd be happy with the skills. Any advice? Thanks, Rich Rich M. - Collector since 2008
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Hi Rich,
Thanks for sharing. I have vision problems too -- due to MS which causes blurred vision, and I have lots of floaters, and my eyes don't track together but glasses pretty much correct for that.
I just use a magnifying glass to separate the coins...so far that works and then I borrow my husband's microscope for a better look. I look at every coin on three different days because my eyesight is different every day. Heck, it's different every hour sometimes.
You say that you want to be a great grader ... well, I think it's great that you're trying. You clearly love coins and want to add to your knowledge of coins. That's great. Give yourself some credit for hanging in there. Not everybody would.
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Quote:
I have been so afraid to try and fail that up till now I WON'T grade coins. Rich - I'm relatively new to collecting, so I cannot offer much in the way of advice. What I can offer is a few words of encouragement. I will say that you are wise to know what you do not know. There is much knowledge here at CCF, and I'm sure others will pitch in to assist. I have cataracts, and I sometimes struggle. But I try. And I learn, little by little. |
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Valued Member
Canada
272 Posts |
Why dont you try this (this is how I first started) when you get your grading guide (which I think is a must by the way) take a look at a coin in your collection and give it a grade of what you think your guide is telling you, then post a pic of your coin in the grade section of this forum but dont tell anybody what you think it is, then see what everybody else grades it at, then see how close you came, after a few attempts you will be grading like a pro..
I admire your attemps at this even with your impairment and I am glad you are not letting it stop you, I give you a gold star and look forward to the time when you can grade along with the best of us..
Good luck..
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Valued Member
 United States
420 Posts |
neweden -
When you say pick a coin from my collection can that be any coin? I have a lot of Modern Commemorative Proof Coins and some uncirculated modern dollars would any of those work? I should be getting the book in the mail by Wednesday so I hope to make my first grade by next week sometime.
Thanks,
Rich
Rich M. - Collector since 2008
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
I would think any coin would work.
I like the suggestion of giving the coin a grade and the letting others post their opinions. People do it here all the time. I think that is an excellent way to learn -- especially if you request that they give a reason if their opinion is different than yours.
I need to start doing this myself! The camera is a bit of work and I just don't have the time to mess with it right now....but someday...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
I agree that that is a great way to learn. I think just about any coin would work. I would caution with using modern commemoratives because most are in very high grade and even with very good photos minuscule flaws are still very hard to see. Even with the coin in hand and with a loupe, they can still be tough to spot.
Edit: Also, try posting coins in various states of condition that way you can learn to grade both circulated and uncirculated coins.
Edited by D0ubl3Eagle
11/09/2011 4:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Also join the ANA, as a member you can access their library for only the cost of postage! The Summer Seminars are some of the best weeks I've had vacationing, the grading courses and counterfiet detection classes are musts. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,372 |
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Posted 11/07/2011 8:07 pm
