Grading Book

Picked one up for myself, but as of yet, have to read it...

So I just received my copy of "Guide for Grading Coins of Canada" by Andre Langlois. (Thank you very much SPP for sending me a copy!)

Here's my opinion of the book from an initial look:

1) The book is coil bound, a feature I absolutely love. I like how you can flip through pages and it will stay open to the page very easily because of the coil bind.

2) The next thing I noticed were the pictures. They're very well done and of decent size and detail to understand the differences between grades. The one thing I was a bit disappointed in was that the pictures are in black and white. I assume either printing in colour would have been too expensive or production in colour wouldn't have the same detailed effects.

3) The wide range of coinage that is covered. This book covers every denomination and every effigy.

4) The introduction pages 3-10 is where the guts of the information really lies deep! I have only skimmed over the intro, and I look forward to reading a lot more what the author says on many of topics discussed in the intro.

5) Reading level - the reading level of this book is not that advanced. I would put it somewhere between grade 9 or 10. This I see as an advantage. Partially because I'm probably a simpleton and with a touch of ADD, I find it easy to understand and I don't "drift" while reading, nor do I get frustrated that I don't understand what's being discussed. Also the large font and line spacing is really easy on the eyes.

6) The one thing I really really REALLY wanted was a way to distinguish between grades MS 60 - 68. I'm sure a whole book could possibly be written about this area in itself but what has frustrated me in the past was so many grading books or websites talk about AU to the lower grades, but little time is spent on distinguishing grades 60 and up!

I certainly look forward to a few nights studying this book and many times taking this book out and using it as a reference to grade my own coins.


Certainly an update from my other grading book that was already mentioned in this thread ...

with you SPP, especially the lots of coins.

So true..and that's my problem..
I never get to see or handle that many nice high grade cents...

That's a great idea SPP! I know that Chris at my local LCS has always said I could hang out there and check out the inventory... and while there isn't too many shows in my area I should probably take advantage of checking out what there is when it's put out to the public.

After reading a few of the pages of this book I already have a few questions and will probably have to get the help of a few individuals who have some stock and may be able to provide pictures.... would you mind if I sent you a few PM's occasionally SPP?

I had to do that too this year

I picked up a copy of the Langlois book at the Coin Cabinet today. After a look-through, it seems promising. I like that there's a section on Maritime coinage and it touches on tokens. With the Internet so utilized today, I think people will/do prefer photographs to line drawings for assistance. As mentioned though, it is about practice and looking at lots of coins in hand too.

*** I do wish it went "worse" thank AG - would love some Fair and Poor examples, at least in Vickies.

Exactly. If some enterprising TPG wanted to build a website and license his photos for an app/site, that would draw plenty of users.