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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,189 |
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
Hello all. I just read this book and found it very interesting and the technique appealed to my analytical side. However there is one thing that I don't quite get and figured this would be the place to get my questions answered.
In the chapter on surface preservation he explains the focal areas and assigns them specific degrees of severity. But then has you pick from five images pertaining to the surface preservation to use in the equation to determine the grade.
I understand the two concepts on there own but shouldn't there be a way to tie those two together? More of a mathematical way of determining the 1 to 5 score for surface preservation? Am I missing something? Thank you all for your help.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
 to CCF ram I personally would like to have more information in reference to the book you are speaking of. Is is possible to provide a URL to the contents within this book referring to an example of how a coin is graded accordingly. But most importantly  if you want a more accurate answer. mdpmedia |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I have the book.
The images are examples of the points he makes for each sub-feature - severity areas, strike quality and the like. 1 is worst, 5 is best. It's my opinion that the photos are far too small to properly get the message across.
It is part and parcel of grading to blend all of these areas of knowledge into the grade you subjectively formulate, because however we wish to make grading an engineering process, it will always be art, a talent which must be learned. Even though I might never upgrade a coin on sheer eye appeal, I'd sure as heck buy one like that over a less-appealing coin of the same technical grade.
Which means I grade it higher by my eye, and what I like might not be what you like.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
I too have the book it's a good reference, but is older. Here is the online version; http://www.coingrading.com by Jim Halprin and sponsored by Heritage Auctions, (he is a partner with Steve Ivy at Heritage). "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/140440Edited by westcoin
02/05/2013 04:11 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
Quote:
however we wish to make grading an engineering process, it will always be an art, a talent which must be learned - SsuperDdave'nuff said Edited by dsfreeworld
02/05/2013 07:55 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
James Halperin! I don't have his coin book but I loved The Truth Machine. Wasn't quite as good a read after the Bush/Gore election though ;)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Grading is an art as SuperDave has already mentioned. It takes many years to become comfortable with your own ability. Grading cannot be learned from books as an only resource. You must look at thousands upon thousands of coins in person, and not from photographs, to understand the art! Go to your local coin show or local coin shop and look at as many slabbed coins as you can. Joining a club is another help.
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New Member
 United States
12 Posts |
Very well articulated SuperDave, and I am in total agreement with all of you on the subject of grading being an art. Looking at thousands of coins is excellent advice that I have received by many sources. And this is advice that I am following. However any supplementation, mechanical or otherwise is also important to me.
I just figured I was missing something. Maybe the author wasn't trying to make grading mathematical. But it seemed like he was, and that was a big gap in the "process".
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Also I might chime in to add, for the serious collector, there is nothing on earth that compares to a week or two spent at ANA headquarters taking their grading courses at the Summer Seminar! I've done all from beginning to advanced 3 different times. Hands on and one to one consultation and instruction from the very people that do it best and for a living. Fantastic time immersing yourself into a solid week of nothing but coins, coins, and more coins, as well as like minded folks. Try it I guarantee you'll thank me for it once you've attended a session. "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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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
I thank you already. I didn't know that anything like that existed. I went to FUN a few weeks ago and was really hoping that they had something like that. I saw the seminar on Buffalo nickles but wanted something less specific. I should have gone anyway. All the same, I got some good education on the floor. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
"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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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Maybe the author wasn't trying to make grading mathematical. But it seemed like he was, and that was a big gap in the "process". I think he was trying to come as close as he could to defining grading as a process. He did pretty well with that. What he didn't do was communicate the greater subtleties involved; indeed, I think he might have (not deliberately) implied such subtlety doesn't exist. All the same, there's a ton to be learned from his work, especially for a beginning grader. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,189 |
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Posted 02/05/2013 02:48 am
