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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,098 |
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New Member
Canada
48 Posts |
Hello Folks!
Newbie here. First post!
I haven't found any reference material regarding how I can go about grading my coin collection. Can somebody point me in the right direction? Most of my coins are entry level stuff that I picked up as a kid in junk bins... However, I do have some "complete" decimal sets and some key dates and would like to start grading and perhaps keeping an running dollar total of what the stuff is worth, etc. I'd appreciate whatever help and advice you folks can send my way!
Great site! Thanks!
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2495 Posts |
Welcome JBU, I've been at this for over 40 years and I've got to tell you, I haven't read a grading reference book in over 25 years. Knowing how to grade is knowing how ICCS grades, since they determine the Canadian standard. Best way to learn ICCS standards is go on ebay, and search "ICCS". You'll get to see thousands of ICCS graded Canadian coins. What better way to learn, as 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. Oh...one last point about grading; as long as the reverse isn't miles apart in grade from the obverse, then don't pay any attention to it. Just grade the obverse. Edited by doubleeagle59
03/18/2013 11:17 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2366 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1554 Posts |
 JBU,  with Doubleeagle59, certainly the Best way I found to enhance my grading skills! Glenn  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
902 Posts |
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Valued Member
Canada
190 Posts |
Hi jbu, Welcome to CCF... :) While I do agree that looking on ebay at pics of ICCS coins will be educational... if you are an astute student it won't take you long to realize how different the standard of grading may be regarding any coin by any grader on any given day... and that includes the so-called pros... who for the most part are just throwin' a dart at the board like the rest of us... Obviously PCGS and ICCS over the years have achieved highest status re perceived objectivity and reliability... with a few others on the 2nd tier... and a whole lot of bottom feeders... However, even with PCGS and ICCS it often makes me just shake my head at how inconsistent the grading actually is...  Re: Quote:
"one last point about grading; as long as the reverse isn't miles apart in grade from the obverse, then don't pay any attention to it. Just grade the obverse." I don't think this is the kind of advice that's beneficial to a novice... you SHOULD pay attention to both sides of coin... and while the obverse may weigh more heavily in the grading of coin, it's still important to consider the coin as a total package. Take care, and Have a Great Day! cameron93 |
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Valued Member
Canada
475 Posts |
Wether good or bad ..... ICCS is the Canadian standard. Look at lots and lots of coins on the net and attend a few shows and visit some local dealers. This is just the start of your education! Good luck and welcome aboard.
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Valued Member
United States
159 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
159 Posts |
Oops just tried that link and it did not work. http://www.coinoisseur.com try this one or just google Canadian coin grading and find the coinnoisseurs site. |
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New Member
Canada
18 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
548 Posts |
Agreed, cool link. Info + pictures are always useful.
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New Member
 Canada
48 Posts |
Thanks for all the responses!
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Valued Member
197 Posts |
While doubleagle is somewhat right, I don't agree that "a picture is worth 100 words". Nothing could be further from the truth. Photos on ebay can either be good or bad or enhanced or taken with artistic license and ebay photos look entirely different once you see them in hand. There is NOTHING that can compare with having the coin in your own hands, preferable in a slab or flip to see what the TPG has assigned. If you live relatively close to a large metro area, go to a few large coin shows and look/handle any coin that strikes your fancy. You will see how ICCS differs from CCCS from PCGS to NGC to ANACS, etc. Stay away from 2nd tier graders like ACG or NNC or even ICG. Auction preview are also excellent places to look at TPG examples, as are show-and-tells at coin clubs. ICCS has traveling 'grading' courses that Brian puts on .. if nothing else go to one of theirs or PCGS's or NGC's. Always look at the reverse, but grade 80% Obverse, 20% reverse. Know how to spot fakes or slabs/flips that have been tampered. Grading is easy below 60, but really hard above 63. Grading has become much more liberal with ICCS and others in the last 2-3 years ... grading creep has become fashionable. A 5-6 year old 62 might get a 64 now, but certainly a 63. When you look at a slab, be able to estimate when it was done .. that's useless with ICCS because no website or natural flow of numbering. Enjoy the hobby ... grading is the most important thing to know in the hobby. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,098 |
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Posted 03/19/2013 10:34 am
