1998 D Kennedy

cc99999: Thanks for grading. Now I have a further question which I hope gets answered.

I'm really trying to learn some grading skills. When I get coins from the mint I know they are uncirculated. But like the coin shown above, I can't tell whether it's circulated or uncirculated because I don't know what to look for.
I went to a coin store yesterday and the guy who owns it took an interest and tried to show me. He looked at a Kennedy coin I had and said it was VF ? something and then showed me some older uncirculated silver dollar. He was using what I think was a 20x loupe. I looked at the coins with his loupe and I just couldn't see what he was talking about. Rub spots, little squiggly marks? I know what bag marks look like but I can't identify these other marks.

Any help, especially with pictures showing marks of interest might get my dumb eyes educated.

Thanks

BTW, since I've been doing so much circulation hunting, now I just keep what I like, and don't worry so much about the grading specifics. But I am still helped by studying grading years ago.

As you are suspecting, it will be worth your while to investigate and train yourself.

Look at the high points to see if there is any wear.

Either the ANA grading book or a photograde book is a great start to learn about grading.